Unai Emery must axe Aston Villa dud, Ollie Watkins now Premier League’s No.1 – Three things learned v Burnley

Unai Emery must axe Aston Villa dud, Ollie Watkins now Premier League’s No.1 – Three things learned v Burnley

At Villa Park on Saturday, December 30,

Aston Villa defeated a struggling Burnley team 3-2 to get back to winning ways in the Premier League.

The Villans’ final home game ended in a 1-1 draw with bottom-of-the-table Sheffield United.

Later, they lost 3-2 at Manchester United after blowing a two-goal lead.

After a close match in the West Midlands,

Unai Emery’s team managed to level the scores with a penalty kick from Douglas Luiz in the 89th minute against Burnley.

Zeki Amdouni and Lyle Foster had previously cancelled out goals from Leon Bailey and Moussa Diaby,

respectively, before Sander Berge was sent off.

Villa moves up to second position in the Premier League and is now tied with leaders Liverpool,

who take on Newcastle United on Monday, January 1. Luiz’s winning penalty strike puts Villa in first place.

These are the three lessons Villa News took away from the close win.

Ramsey faces difficulties

In a critical assessment from Emery, Clement Lenglet was replaced in the second half,

although Jacob Ramsey also had difficulty and was lucky to finish.

Though he has started four games in a row, the 22-year-old seemed to be lacking in sharpness.

Ramsey attempted two shots, but neither of them connected,

and he only made two of his four dribbling attempts (or 50%) successful.

The amount of passes Ramsey attempted but failed to complete,

with a passing accuracy of just 77.3%, the third-lowest of any Villa starter,

will undoubtedly worry Emery as well.

Given the various midfield alternatives Emery has at his disposal,

it’s possible that Ramsey may get a rest for Villa’s Premier League return match against Everton.

versatile

It was extremely unexpected that Ollie Watkins was not one of Villa’s three goals in the contest.

Still, the attacker had an impact in the first half, setting up goals for Bailey and Diaby.

8 – Ollie Watkins, who has assisted on both of Aston Villa’s goals so far today,

has more assists than any other player in the Premier League this season (8).

Kindhearted. #AVLBUR — December 30, 2023, OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)

Watkins now has the most assists of any player in the division with eight in the Premier League this season,

which was Diaby’s assist.

Watkins leads all goal and assist scorers this season with 17,

a total only surpassed by Mohamed Salah (19) and Erling Haaland (18).

Watkins still contributes to Villa even when he is not on the scoresheet.

And with those two names up there, he’s truly in exclusive company at the moment.

Comforts of home

This was Aston Villa’s farewell match in a memorable year,

and a fitting way to thank everyone who came for their support.

17/53 – In the Premier League in 2023, @AVFCOfficial has more wins (17) and home points (53) than any other team. ease. Pic.twitter.com/wq2nQE1I97 #AVLBUR
— December 30, 2023, OptaJoe (@OptaJoe)

Sheffield United surprised everyone by winning their last game at Villa Park,

but Emery’s team made sure it wouldn’t happen again by winning their 17th consecutive Premier League home game of 2023.

No side in the English Premier League can match that,

and no team has more home points this season than Villa

not Liverpool, Arsenal, or Manchester City.

Villa’s home league record since the beginning of March is presently 17 games played,

16 wins, 1 tie, and 0 losses. Put it discreetly: that is form worthy of a championship.

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