Unai Emery takes risk with Leander Dendoncker decision as Aston Villa starting XI emerges v Burnley
Unai Emery may have taken a risk with Aston Villa midfielder Leander Dendoncker axed for Saturday’s clash with Burnley.
Aston Villa will be aiming to return to winning ways when they welcome Vincent Kompany’s team to Villa Park after being winless in their last two Premier League games.
The Villans confirmed their starting XI for the game at Villa Park on Saturday afternoon (30 December) with Emery making two changes from the side which gave up a 2-goal lead to lose 3-2 to Manchester United on Boxing Day.
The Spaniard has decided to introduce Moussa Diaby from the start with the Belgian midfielder dropping down to the bench in a bizarre decision given his tremendous showing against Manchester United.
Lucas Digne is out with a hamstring injury so is replaced by Alex Moreno at left-back but Emery has certainly surprised a few with the Dendoncker decision, with John McGinn lining up in central midfield alongside Douglas Luiz.
Against United on Tuesday (26 December), the Belgian may have put his exit rumours to bed with a tremendous individual display despite the disappointing 3-2 defeat.
His 89 per cent passing accuracy proved he was capable of keeping possession in the middle against a team that had opted to press high while winning five out of his six attempted ground duels and two of his three aerial duels proving how he dominated his individual battles. [Sofascore]
Dendoncker also made two interceptions and four tackles sitting in front of the defence, attempting to provide cover from the threat posed by Bruno Fernandes who acted as the main creator in the United midfield.
He also bagged his first goal in Aston Villa colours which certainly suggested that he still has plenty to offer Emery with Kamara and Tielemans out through suspension and injury respectively.
And Emery has reverted back to the midfield line-up that thoroughly disappointed up against Sheffield United at Villa Park the week before last.
The 1-1 draw with the Blades certainly showed why McGinn should no longer be considered just as a traditional central midfielder but a crucial auxiliary midfielder who is a tremendous penalty box-crasher and wide-playmaker.
And his stats from the fixture highlighted how much his influence waned when deployed deep.
As per SofaScore, McGinn registered two key passes but from his usual wide-left role, he’s registered six key passes from his last three Premier League games (four against Man City).
Other than that, the Scot completed just 50 per cent of his two dribble attempts, completed just one of his four crosses, lost possession of the ball 23 times which is relatively poor for a deep-lying midfielder and won just three of his 13 ground duels at a torrid 23 per cent.
Let’s hope this decision doesn’t come back to bite Emery on the backside once again, in a game they really should be winning.
In other Aston Villa news, a star player has justified his British record price tag already this season.