Unai Emery must drop ‘Terrorised’ Diego Carlos after Aston Villa draw v Ipswich
Unai Emery faces a difficult decision on Diego Carlos after he was run ragged as Aston Villa drew 2-2 against Ipswich Town on Sunday 29 September.
Speaking on Sky Sports with Darren Bent (29 September, 4:01pm), Jamie Redknapp highlighted just how difficult a time the Brazilian was given by Liam Delap, who scored both of Ipswich’s goals at Portman Road.
With Villa leading 2-1 and on their way to victory, Delap turned Carlos inside out 18 minutes from time to fire an equaliser past Emi Martinez.
After Bent sung Delap’s praises, Redknapp added: “He terrorised Diego Carlos all game, didn’t he?
“He couldn’t live with his power, skill and obviously then his finishing.”
Diego Carlos faces axe after woeful Aston Villa showing
It beggars belief that Emery continues to play Ezri Konsa – an England international and arguably his best defender last season – at right-back to accommodate Carlos in the middle of his defence.
With the ball at his feet, Carlos remained his usual composed self against Ipswich, having 71 touches and completing 89 per cent of his 66 attempted passes [FotMob] – 10 of which entered the final third.
Going the other way though, the Brazilian was all at sea when facing the strong running and relentless pressing of Delap, who both opened and rounded off the scoring at Portman Road.
While Carlos did complete four ball recoveries and defensive actions apiece, he failed to win a single tackle (zero per cent) and was also dribbled past by Delap on his way to Ipswich’s equaliser [FotMob].
Furthermore, despite Carlos winning two duels in total, he lost a further three, winning just 33 per cent of those on the ground and twice being caught out by the Tractor Boys to concede free-kicks.
Matty Cash’s October return from a thigh issue (Premier Injuries) can’t come soon enough for Villa, and moving Konsa back into the middle in place of Carlos will allow Emery to breathe a sigh of relief.
In other Aston Villa news, a transfer mission is underway at Villa Park to sign a ‘dazzling’ starlet plying his trade in League One.
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