Unai Emery must take off Leon Bailey at half-time, ideal Aston Villa replacement standing by
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery may consider introducing Jhon Duran for Aston Villa in the second half of their Premier League opener against West Ham United.
The young striker has been heavily linked with a move to the London Stadium and was named on the bench on the first weekend of the season.
Duran may have that added subconscious motivation to impress a club where he may get more game time, and if introduced, could be a real thorn in the West Ham side to show his suitors what they are missing.
This could also apply to Emery and Villa, with the scintillating Ollie Watkins capping the Colombian’s game time last season.
It is currently all square at 1-1 at half-time in the capital, despite Villa dominating the first half – Duran could be the weapon needed for a crucial regaining of the Villans’ lead.
Ollie Watkins has impressed and is not at risk of being dragged off, fitness depending, but Leon Bailey struggled on the right and could make way.
Indeed, Bailey has fired a game-high two shots off target, one of those a great chance, while completing just 50 per cent of his four attempted dribbles [Sofascore].
The 46 per cent pass-success rate he registered in the first half, meanwhile, was easily the lowest of any visiting player (6/13).
Aston Villa level at half-time v West Ham United
Aston Villa were full value for their early lead, with Onana heading home a goal four minutes into his bow for his new club.
Emery’s side had defended well when called upon, with Lucas Digne winning a crucial aerial duel with Tomas Soucek, and Pau Torres able to stride out of defence with possession of the ball.
But then on a knife-edge, nine minutes before the break, Matty Cash was perhaps harshly penalised for a penalty on Soucek, allowing Lucas Paqueta to equalise from the spot against the run of play.
The danger for West Ham was that too many faces may not gel immediately, hence Julen Lopetegui opting to bench many of the club’s exciting new signings – but the hosts had not got going even with the old guard in the side, Villa using the fact to their advantage.
The penalty was their first shot on target, and now Emery must work on a response having been the far better team during the opening 45.
Amadou Onana heads home on dream start to debut
Onana has wasted no time in making an immediate mark for Aston Villa, sending home a bullet header just four minutes into his debut.
There were considerations that £50m man may have felt the pressure of his price tag but he has played with a freedom and an instinct at the heart of the midfield, offering that vital outlet from set-pieces which has been taken to Villa’s advantage straight away.
West Ham were all at sea defending Youri Tielemans’ corner from the left as Onana escaped Michail Antonio’s feeble marking to nod in from close range.
In the middle of the park, as well, he has been utterly dominant up against Hammers debutant Guido Rodriguez – incredibly completing 100 per cent of his 16 passes and winning 80 per cent of his five ground duels.
A key player aerially as shown, last season for Everton saw Onana win 74 per cent of his duels in the air [Sofascore], which could really improve Emery’s outlet against physically imposing opponents such as West Ham.
In other Aston Villa news, Alan Hutton gives his take on links with a Liverpool and England defender.
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