Aston Villa have failed to score so far in the Premier League this season – what have been the key reasons behind his drought?
The start to Villa’s season is a small mystery. This is essentially the same team that thrived in the Champions League last season, and qualified for a third consecutive European campaign.
I’d say the lack of goals is coming from Villa being easy to defend against. Our offensive play has become predictable, slow and formulaic – lacking flare and creativity from all corners
of the pitch.
Unai Emery has cut a frustrated figure of late, do you think he is under any pressure or would you say his job is quite safe?
Emery had an immense amount of credibility in the bank. As mentioned, we’re in our third consecutive European season, and his points per game since arriving at the club has been second or third best in the league until this bump in the road.
A loss this weekend will put some questions on his head, but for now I think most Villa fans are just waiting for things to click into place. We won’t get a better manager than him right now.
It was a window of late business for Villa, with Emi Martinez staying despite looking like leaving all summer. How crucial was it that he stayed at Villa Park?
Martinez has certainly unsettled the fan base with his antics this summer, but there is no doubt that his presence at the club is huge.
He’s an excellent keeper – one of the best in the league – albeit didn’t quite reach his usual heights in the second half of last season. I would’ve been a lot more concerned about our season had he not been at the club.
Victor Lindelof joined on deadline day, with Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott also coming on loan – what were your thoughts on those signings?
Our transfer window was a real mixed picture. Until the final day we’d only signed Bizot as a back-up keeper and Guessand as a relatively unknown attacking option.
The arrival of Lindelof, Sancho and Elliot was reassuring. Lindelof is a proven, experience Premier League defender and will suit Emery given his utility to dip into midfield if needed.
The Sancho and Elliot signings add a bit of excitement – particularly Elliot has got fans quite excited. The only issue is whether Emery plays them, as we rarely see Emery signings come in and hit the first team immediately.
Aside from the above mentioned names, how have your other new signings got on so far?
Not much to report on the signings. Bizot had a good first game against Palace but it’s clear he’ll be firmly the deputy as long as Martinez is at the club. He didn’t cover himself in glory during the League Cup penalty shootout earlier this week.
Guessand looks a bit fresh and needs some coaching, but there’s is definitely a player in there.
It was reported that there was an issue with Emery and England star Morgan Rogers over him not being selected to take a penalty during the week against Brentford – does it come across like quite a frustrated camp at the moment just desperate for a win?
I honestly haven’t heard about any frustration – Emery came out and said that Morgan doesn’t practice penalties so wasn’t in the first 5 selected.
Seems pretty straight forward to me!In terms of broader frustration, I would say there is a little bit. The team were disappointed by the financial situation this summer when we had to sell our academy star Ramsey, and were unable to really freshen things up.
However, it’s pretty clear that they’re just gasping for a goal and a couple of wins and all will be well.
Sunderland signed former Villa winger Bertrand Traore this summer – do you think he’ll prove a good signing?
Traore had a few glory moments at Villa, but for the most part it wasn’t the most memorable of signings for us.
He has some excellent technical ability but found he didn’t often like to do the dirty work and his quality came in fits and starts.
He’s a few years deeper into his career now, so who knows what he’s learnt and improved on since. If he plays regularly I can see him popping up with a few goals, but I wouldn’t want to rely on him as a primary creative outlet. I hope I’m wrong for you guys!
How do you expect Emery to setup tactically at the Stadium of Light?
In more recent times, Emery has stuck with the same style and set up. It’ll be a four at the back with the full backs attempting to get forward, usually on one side predominantly depending on personnel.
We’re without a few midfielders but there’ll be a defensive double pivot protecting the defense, then a three behind Watkins.
Are any players missing and who do you think will start?
Tielemans and Onana are definitely out which is a blow for us. Kamara is just coming back to fitness but I hope he will start. Otherwise, we’re not looking too bad in terms of injuries.
It could be that Bogarde remains in the midfield alongside Kamara, pushing McGinn into a more advanced role.
Emery seems dead set on not benching Rogers despite his poor start to the season, so I can see him starting. Then it’s a debate on whether one of the new lads joins Watkins up top.
4-2-3-1 – Martinez (GK), Cash, Konsa, Mings, Digne, Kamara, Bogarde, McGinn, Rogers, Elliott, Watkins.
Sunderland have just one win in their last 12 matches against Villa – what is your score prediction?
This is a huge game for us. Playing a newly promoted team away from home is always very tricky, and we’re struggling at the minute.
That being said, I hope that this is a good opportunity for us to ‘stop the rot’ and get a couple of goals. 2-1 Villa win for me.
