Unai Emery must take Leon Bailey action at half-time in Brighton v Aston Villa
Unai Emery will be kicking himself after seeing Morgan Rogers limp off injured during the first half of the Aston Villa versus Brighton clash.
Rogers’ fitness was pushed and he ended up being replaced by Matty Cash after picking up a knock at the Amex Stadium on Sunday (5 May).
To make matters worse for the Villa boss, Nicolo Zaniolo was not named among the substitutes, despite being in attendance at the ground.
Brighton v Aston Villa goalless at half-time
Whether that was down to an injury concern remains to be seen, but Emery will surely now wish he had the Italian among his substitutes after a goalless opening period.
Rogers started in a central position, which did not pay off, with Moussa Diaby on the right and Leon Bailey on the left-hand side.
Whether it was with Rogers on the field or without, Villa offered next to nothing in an attacking sense in the opening 45 minutes.
Leon Bailey in particular was ineffective and might be at risk of being substituted off at the interval, with Jhon Duran an option to come on.
Including Cash, the Villans have three natural wide players on the field but could do with someone who can link up with Ollie Watkins up top.
Duran is fit and raring to go, having been used mainly as a substitute, and taking off Bailey will also prevent Villa losing a second key man to injury.
Leon Bailey struggles to get going v Brighton
Bailey won zero per cent of his aerial duels in the first half against Brighton [Sofascore], while he had no shots of any sort and completed no dribbles.
While no Villa player stood out, the attackers in particular looked off it – not that surprising given it is just three days on from the gruelling Olympiacos tie.
Bailey also completed only eight passes, so it is clear that Emery could do with trying something a little different in the final third.
Duran has averaged 0.77 goals and assists combined per 90 minutes this season, which is the third-best return of any Villa player [FBref], showing he is capable when called upon.
In a half in which Villa had just one shot on target, Duran could be the man to spark some life into the attack and help the visitors on their way to a crucial victory.
In other Aston Villa news, the Villans have shared some Aidan Borland transfer news.
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