An afternoon to forget for Nicolo Zaniolo at half-time in Aston Villa Premier League clash v Crystal Palace
Aston Villa go into the half-time break against Crystal Palace level at 0-0 and Unai Emery may have to think about replacing Nicolo Zaniolo in a drab first-half performance.
The Villans were looking to leapfrog Crystal Palace in the Premier League table when they welcomed the Eagles to Villa Park on Saturday afternoon [16 September].
Emery’s men certainly had control of the proceedings creating a wave of openings but were guilty of some wasteful attempts, especially from Ollie Watkins who was through on goal but could not beat Sam Johnstone in the Palace goal.
As the half grew on, Palace certainly built some confidence of their own before Villa thought they took the lead when Pau Torres played an easy long pass over the away defence onto the feet of Moussa Diaby who easily slotted home but VAR correctly ruled it out for offside.
Aston Villa definitely were in control for much of the half but Emery will be concerned by the performance of his summer signing Zaniolo who may have to be hooked off at half-time.
The Italian maestro who joined on a season-long loan from Galatasaray failed to deliver in the first half, cutting a dejected and ineffective figure. He did create a huge opportunity for Matty Cash before half-time but the Pole wasted the chance after he sliced the shot in the area.
The 24-year-old has endured a difficult past couple of seasons with severe knee injuries but actually enjoyed a brief renaissance last term in Turkey, registering five goals from 10 Super Lig games.
Zaniolo, during his time with Roma, was named the Serie A Young Player of the Year for the 2018-19 campaign and earned his first call-up to the national team in 2018 and was earmarked as one of Europe’s most exciting attacking prospects but looked far from that promise against Palace.
As per SofaScore, the former Roma man won just two of his eight duels at a rate of 25%, completed one of his four dribbles, lost possession of the ball 12 times, dribbled past once and was given a needless yellow card for time wasting.
The Italian also struggled during the international break for Italy in their last match with North Macedonia and he has certainly carried that form onto the pitch at Villa Park this afternoon. Whatever Emery decides, at half-time it may not be long before he is chalked off.
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