Aston Villa: Unai Emery must axe Alex Moreno v Luton Town, ‘Problems’ have emerged
Despite Aston Villa claiming victory against Nottingham Forest on Saturday 24 February, Unai Emery will be displeased with conceding two goals.
Ollie Watkins and Douglas Luiz helped the Villans take a 3-0 lead before half-time, but a Moussa Niakhate set-piece goal before the break saw Forest get back into the game.
Morgan Gibbs-White added another three minutes into the second half before Leon Bailey fired home, leaving Forest with too tall a mountain to climb.
Alex Moreno must be left out for Aston Villa v Luton Town
Emery hooked two of his back four prematurely. With Pau Torres just returning from injury, he was not risked for the second half, but Moreno visibly struggled against Anthony Elanga and Neco Williams for much of his hour on the pitch.
Despite boasting a 93 per cent passing accuracy and 100 per cent long ball accuracy, the Spaniard was far less comfortable in defence. [FotMob]
Having been dribbled past three times, it only got worse for Moreno, who won just 38 per cent of his ground duels and was yellow-carded for a rugby tackle on Williams. Two minutes later, Lucas Digne replaced him.
This is not just a one-off, however. The 30-year-old has been stumbling at Villa Park in recent weeks.
Despite a superb goal and display against Sheffield United on Saturday 3 February, Karen Carney pointed out the “problems” that Malo Gusto was causing the defender in the following match against Chelsea.
The full-back recorded a 40 per cent win rate in his ground duels, being dribbled past once, while only swinging in 33 per cent of his crosses accurately. He was also ineffective in the box, getting 0 per cent of his shots on target. [FotMob]
The poor form seems to have continued, with Moreno picking up back-to-back yellow cards against Fulham and Forest, and being replaced in both matches.
Who should replace Alex Moreno at left-back?
Digne seems like the only suitable replacement for Moreno currently, who took the Spaniard’s place against Forest on Saturday 24 February.
The Frenchman has not started a match since Boxing Day, playing in the 3-2 defeat to Manchester United, and only appearing in small cameos as a substitute since then.
He already proved to be more comfortable on the pitch at Villa Park than Moreno, completing 100 per cent of his ground duels, making two passes into the final, maintaining a 91 per cent pass accuracy, and winning a foul. [FotMob]
The chosen left-back will likely be up against Chiedozie Ogbene against Luton, who will be looking to move out of the relegation zone after Everton could only manage a 1-1 draw against 10-man Brighton.
Based on recent performances, Digne should be handed his 19th Premier League start of the season instead of Moreno.
In other Aston Villa news, a broadcaster has reacted to a “moment of magic” from a player Emery sold.
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