Douglas Luiz looks set to leave Aston Villa

Douglas Luiz stuns Sky Sports pundit in huge Aston Villa half v Sheffield United

Sat 3 February 2024 18:17, UK

Douglas Luiz was the pick of bunch amid an embarrassment of riches for Aston Villa as Unai Emery’s side ran riot in the first half against Sheffield United.

There was barely anything to criticise for the visitors as they went 4-0 up within half an hour but the midfielder’s excellent assist for Ollie Watkins’ strike to make the score 2-0 in the 16th minute was arguably the best moment [Sky Sports, 3 February].

Breaking from their own box after a Blade’s attack was halted the Brazilian played an inch-perfect through-ball round the retreating defender with the outside of his foot for his teammate to run onto and dispatch into the far corner.

It came in an outstanding first-half display where, according to SofaScore stats, he created two big chances and played four key passes, while completing 29 of his 31 passes (94%).

In terms of long balls he was a perfect 100% (three from three), managing to make the absolute most of his possession by fitting all of that in 36 touches with a creative masterclass.

Luiz to Watkins unstoppable combination for Aston Villa

Goodman said live on the Sky Sports match commentary (5.47pm): “There’s the run and what about that for a ball? Absolutely on the money, outside of the right boot, Douglas Luiz.

“This is what I was saying, highlighting him, range is passing – excellent. But what a finish. It’s hard, it’s low, it’s accurate. No chance for Wes Foderingham. But there’s two pieces of brilliance in that, the pass and the finish.”