Kosta Nedeljkovic display causes concern for Aston Villa boss Unai Emery
Kosta Nedeljkovic was dragged off 64 minutes into Serbia’s 2-0 loss to Denmark in a worrying performance by the Aston Villa right-back.
The new Villa arrival, who initially signed from Red Star Belgrade for £7.8million in January 2024, started at right wing-back in Serbia’s UEFA Nations League match in Copenhagen, but was soon under the cosh.
Serbia conceded once in each half and were well-beaten by a Danish side featuring several Premier League players, as Nedeljkovic was taken off for Stefan Mitrovic after Yussuf Poulsen mahad made it 2-0.
Kosta Nedeljkovic cannot take Serbia form back to Aston Villa
Few Serbia players were able to produce their best performances amid a dominant showing from Denmark in Copenhagen, but Nedeljkovic was one whose below-par efforts stood out.
Prior to being taken off in the 64th minute with Serbia already 2-0 down, the Villa wing-back had managed just 26 touches as Denmark dominated possession throughout [SofaScore].
Nedeljkovic did complete 13 of his 14 attempted passes (93 per cent), but his only attempt at a cross from the right-hand side failed to find its target.
Furthermore, the 18-year-old failed to attempt a single shot or key pass, and won just two of his five attempted ground duels; coming up against Christian Eriksen and Victor Kristiansen.
The youngster lost possession a total of six times despite hardly getting on the ball during his time on the pitch, and defensively only managed to pull off one block and one interception apiece [SofaScore].
Nedeljkovic has come off the bench in all three of Villa’s Premier League matches so far this season, and Unai Emery will hope that he can come back from a mixed international break as a player able to start.
In other Aston Villa news, another new Villa Park arrival is fast-becoming “indispensable” with his performances on international duty.
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