Aston Villa man Nicolo Zaniolo decision to be made v Sheffield United after Boubacar Kamara development
Unai Emery will have a big decision to make for the Aston Villa v Sheffield United clash which is to be played on Friday, 22 December at Villa Park.
Boubacar Kamara picked up a red card in the 2-1 win over Brentford on Sunday, 17 December, and will now be ruled out for three games.
This could see Emery shuffle his pack once more and Nicolo Zaniolo, the summer signing who’s been a flop thus far, may be given a chance to prove his worth.
Italian journalist Alfredo Pedulla reported on 13 August that the Italy international would be earning €3million (£2.6million) at Villa Park should he complete the move – which he eventually did.
This means he’s earning £50k/week at Aston Villa and his return of zero goals and assists in 11 Premier League games this season.
Against Brentford, Emery went for more solidity in the middle of the park and had John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey both in his eleven along with Kamara.
However, Sheffield are likely to sit back and this could see a midfielder being dropped in the Frenchman and Zaniolo coming in.
According to WhoScored, the 24-year-old has played on the right wing, left wing and as a central striker this season for Villa.
His speed will come in handy against the Blades and it could be the ideal game for him to break his goal-scoring deadlock or at least provide an assist.
Players often take a while to adapt to life in the Premier League and if the Italian does see a future at Villa Park, it’s about time he starts delivering.
He is averaging more touches than 93 per cent [Fbref] of attacking midfielders and wingers in Europe’s top five leagues inside the penalty area so he’s certainly getting into the right positions but just needs to have that killer instinct in the final third which has been lacking so far.
In other Aston Villa news, Ian Wright has waxed lyrical over a first-team player and has dubbed him “fantastic” after what he did recently.