Another year has passed and Aston Villa missed out on the chance to add another League Cup to their trophy cabinet, after being eliminated by Everton in the third round.
The Toffees won 2-1 at Villa Park on Wednesday night as Unai Emery’s side struggled to assert possession as they failed to create a single major chance in the game, although recorded 68% possession and 11 shots [Fotmob].
Emery made a number of changes for the match, including bringing Jhon Duran back onto the field to lead the attack ahead of the back three of James Tarkowski, Michael Keane and Jarrad Branthwaite, but the 19-year-old struggled to make an impact on the debate.
Before being substituted at half-time, the Colombian had scored just 11 touches of the ball, completed five of his six passes and had one shot, a left-footed effort from open play but The ball went wide of Jordan Pickford’s post.
Against a very physical Toffees backline, Duran won one of three aerial duels but lost the only one on the ground because he had little space or time to get into position.
The speed of the match and has a significant influence on the match.
However, it wasn’t just Duran who caused problems for Aston Villa, when Ollie Watkins came on at half-time he only touched the ball 17 times and didn’t even contest a single aerial duel, but nevertheless won two duels on the field.
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Duran has proven that he can impact games from the bench as his two Premier League goals this season have both come from the bench and he still averages a goal every 57 minutes of play.
But he may not be ready to lead Villa’s front line alone, especially against physically strong teams.
In Villa’s 4-0 destruction of Everton earlier this season, Watkins showed exactly how to play as a striker against the Toffees, with only 22 touches of the ball in 74 minutes on the field, he caused enough trouble.
Kind of a problem for Sean Dyche’s side.
Watkins was awarded a penalty when he fouled Pickford for a loose ball, but also created three chances for his team-mate and should have even scored in the second half when he missed with his right foot for the score.
predicted number is 0.
34 [Fotmob ]
Despite losing all three aerial duels this afternoon, he harassed defenses with his pace to create space for teammates and keep defenders busy, while also completing 100% of the nine His attempted pass.
Villa’s busy schedule with upcoming Europa Conference League matches means Duran will have more opportunities to prove he has what it takes to be Aston Villa’s number 9.
But he has to make sure he gets involved in matches consistently.
He had the same problem against Legia Warsaw as he did against Everton, with just nine touches of the ball, but at that level he made sure every moment counted.
He completed 100% of his three passes and was on target with two of his three shots, including the goal after six minutes [Fotmob].
Against Premier League teams, the clinical nature will emerge over time but it seems Duran aren’t quite ready for that yet and that’s the benefit of Watkins being ready and eager to start the big games best.
A lesson has certainly been learned.