Unai Emery has new headache at Aston Villa after Pau Torres update, could hurt Champions League dream
Aston Villa have a genuine opportunity to climb to the top of the Premier League table when they face Sheffield United in their final match before Christmas.
Even if only for a day, Unai Emery’s side could sit at the top of English football if they are able to claim all three points against Chris Wilder’s blades at Villa Park on Friday (22 December), but Villa are already facing a couple of key obstacles.
The home side will be without Pau Torress for Friday night’s clash with the Spanish defender ruled out with injury following Villa’s 2-1 win over Brentford last time out, where he was substituted after 81 minutes.
As quoted by Birmingham Live (21 December) Emery said: “Pau Torres, it is his ankle. It’s a small injury. Every day coming is important to how he is improving.
“I don’t know if he will be available for Manchester United, but he could be.”
Torres’ recent form has been a big part of Aston Villa’s excellent form in recent weeks. Against Brentford last time out the 26-year-old made an astonishing 17 passes into the opposition’s final third as he completed 86 per cent of his 73 attempted passes [Fotmob].
Few defenders in the Premier League have been as creative on the ball this season. Only three per cent of the division’s centre-backs have completed more progressive carries than Torres this season and he places in the 87th percentile for progressive passes per 90 minutes [Fbref].
Aston Villa will look to dominate the ball against Wilder’s side and then utilise Ollie Watkins’ pace in behind the Blades’ defence. Torres is a crucial part of that system because of his excellent range of passing.
The Villa defender has completed fewer short passes than 47 per cent of his positional peers, but more medium-range efforts than 76 per cent of the league’s defenders. On top of that, he places in the 75th percentile for key passes completed.
During the win over Arsenal, the Spanish centre-back won 100 per cent of his attempted tackles in the clash and won half of his duels both in the air and on the ground as Emery’s side were made to work hard for their clean sheet.
Out of possession, Torres hasn’t been called into action too often, completing fewer tackles per match than 91 per cent of centre-backs. That may make it appear as though he doesn’t do enough off of the ball, but he is yet to make an error leading to a goal.
His importance to Aston Villa is demonstrated when they have the ball. He can act as an additional midfielder given his talent in possession and help Emery’s side move up the pitch quickly and effectively.
Torres has started 16 of Villa’s 17 Premier League games this season, with his only appearance from the bench coming on the opening day when Villa shipped five away to Newcastle.
It will be hard for Emery to decide who will replace him as the Spaniard isn’t blessed with depth in his side. Dropping points on Friday could harm their Champions League hopes.
Hopefully, Villa can manage without him on Friday and he’ll be back fit in time to face Manchester United. If there was a game he had to miss, most would pick the clash with the side who sit bottom of the Premier League.
In other Aston Villa news, Calum Chambers’ career at Villa Park appears to be over with it now clear Emery doesn’t need him