Diego Carlos lets Aston Villa fans down after display v Burnley, first-team role at risk
Aston Villa defender Diego Carlos may be at risk of losing his regular starting role under Unai Emery after his display against Burnley.
The Villans moved level with Premier League leaders Liverpool as a late Douglas Luiz penalty secured victory against 10-man Burnley on Saturday (30 December).
The Brazilian midfielder converted from the penalty spot in the 89th minute after Jhon Duran was fouled by former Villa player Aaron Ramsey.
Aston Villa made hard work of their task against Vincent Kompany’s men being pegged back twice after Zeki Amdouni and Lyle Foster equalisers cancelling out Leon Bailey and Moussa Diaby’s goals.
Burnley still possessed the prowess and quality to disrupt the Villans despite seeing Sander Berge sent off for a second bookable offence 11 minutes after half-time but Luiz’s emphatic penalty sealed all three points in an eventful spectacle in Birmingham.
The victory moves Villa onto 42 points and behind Liverpool only on goal difference, with the Reds set to host Newcastle United on New Year’s Day.
It was far from a perfect afternoon or even a convincing display from Aston Villa and that was down to their tepid and lacklustre defending against a Burnley side who aren’t the best of scorers around.
The way in which Villa conceded the first goal was terribly disappointing and that was down to the lack of leadership and organisation from experienced members of the team such as Carlos.
The Brazilian (red dot) was caught ball-watching and all at sea for Amdouni’s first-half equaliser, a goal which may not have been conceded had Tyrone Mings led from the back.
In both Mings and Pau Torres’ temporary absence, it was Carlos’ chance to lead given his experience and know-how at the elite level but he completely let down Emery despite the win.
As per SofaScore, Carlos failed to register a single tackle, block, interception or a ground duel all afternoon for Villa and registered just one clearance before being handed the worst average rating of any Aston Villa player.
The Brazilian also only registered one tackle against Manchester United in the 3-2 defeat but ultimately, the way in which Aston Villa are conceding goals in recent weeks is a massive cause for concern.
Since the 1-0 win over Arsenal on 9 December, the Villans have conceded eight goals in five games in all competitions [SofaScore] and have failed to register a single clean sheet with Carlos being at the epicentre of those games in defence.
They’ve also allowed a whopping 18 shots on target in that period and if such deficiencies are allowed to happen at the back any longer, Villa’s current standing in the Premier League table may not be sustainable.
Emery has certainly got to change things and maybe the high-line Villa are known to utilise just isn’t working for the likes of Carlos who has been ruthlessly exposed by it over the last two games.
Such displays and weaknesses certainly put the Brazilian’s regular first-team role in disarray.
In other Aston Villa news, a doctor delivered a new verdict on Tyrone Mings.