Aston Villa: Alan Shearer blown away by Pau Torres v Fulham, may define Champions League push
Aston Villa and Unai Emery would have been eager to get back to winning ways in the Premier League after their defeat to Manchester United and they did exactly that against Fulham.
Villa were not at their exhilarating best on Saturday (17 February) as they were when they won 5-0 against Sheffield United, but they worked hard out of possession to claim all three points with a crucial 2-1 win thanks to Ollie Watkins’ brace.
The England international’s clinical form at Craven Cottage saw him earn plenty of plaudits from supporters and pundits alike, with Alan Shearer naming him in his Premier League team of the week, but he wasn’t the only Villa star included.
Joining Watkins was Pau Torres, with the Spaniard’s defensive display next to Clement Lenglet impressing the BBC Sport pundit who picked him in a back-three alongside Chelsea’ Axel Diasi and Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior.
No player for either side completed more passes in the contest than the 27-year-old, who found teammates with 79 per cent of his 80 attempted efforts, seven of which were into Fulham’s final third, stats according to Fotmob.
Torres wasn’t afraid to venture forward with the ball at his feet either, completing 100 per cent of his attempted dribbles. However, he would have been slightly disappointed by his wayward long passing, only finding a teammate in claret and blue with 25 per cent of his 16 efforts.
Out of possession, the returning Villa defender won every single one of the three ground duels that he entered and only lost one of his attempted tackles as he marshalled Emery’s defence in an incredibly commanding fashion.
Pau Torres can get Aston Villa Champions League push back on track
Aston Villa’s dip in form over the festive period coincided with Torres’ injury absence and the 27-year-old’s return could well be what helps Emery’s side kick on and secure their place in the Champions League this season.
Villa have only lost two of the 17 Premier League games that the Spanish international has started this term, meaning they pick up points in more than 88 per cent of games when he is named in the starting XI.
Across those 17 starts, Villa have won 13 matches meaning Emery’s side have won 76.4 per cent of the matches they have played with Torres in their backline.
If Villa were able to maintain this record and Torres was named in the starting XI every week between now and the end of the domestic season, Emery’s side would win eight of their remaining 11 games and therefore pick up at least another 24 points.
While that won’t be easy and is still far from a guarantee, keeping the 27-year-old fit for the next few months could well define Aston Villa’s season and push them into the Champions League places.
In other Aston Villa news, Lenglet’s display against Fulham impressed his Villa teammate Konsa who labelled it “solid”
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