Aston Villa v Crystal Palace: Pundit moots ‘serious problem’ with Axel Disasi
Axel Disasi has been picked out for all the wrong reasons ahead of the FA Cup semi-final between Aston Villa and Crystal Palace on Saturday.
The Villans are preparing for a trip to Wembley on 26 April, where Oliver Glasner’s side await in the final four of the prestigious cup competition.
This comes just days after a frustrating 2-1 loss against Manchester City, where a late Matheus Nunes strike made all the difference.
Unai Emery will now turn his attentions to the capital and will have a decision to make around Disasi after a damming verdict emerged in B6.
Disasi slammed ahead of Aston Villa v Crystal Palace
The last time Villa faced the Eagles, they fell to a damming 4-1 loss at Selhurst Park in what was a horrendous performance all told.
Since then, ten wins in 12 games across all competitions have changed the feeling in claret and blue, ready for a semi-final clash.
With that being said, the defeat against Pep Guardiola’s side raised questions of the defensive line, with Disasi coming under particular pressure.
The Frenchman came on for Matty Cash with half an hour remaining and ultimately came under fire for his influence on the home side’s winner.
This leaves Emery with an issue in the cup over who to start at right back, a sentiment which has been echoed by Sam Matterface.
Speaking on talkSPORT (26 April, 05:09am), the commentator suggested that Ebere Eze will be delighted to face either option after what he’s seen.
He said: “It’s at right back with Axel Disasi that they’ve got a serious problem, he switched off late on against Jeremy Doku.
“Matty Cash doesn’t get as much protection and likes to go forward, he has left gaps, which have been a problem for Aston Villa.
“The structure of the team is such that they don’t play with an out-and-out right winger, which means whoever plays at right back is going to be exposed. Therefore, Eze might be licking his lips.”
Disasi must not start v Crystal Palace
There is no doubt that the Frenchman has been a positive signing since coming in on loan from Chelsea in the winter window.
Disasi’s performances against the likes of Club Brugge and Brentford were superb regardless of any recent criticism aimed his way.
| Stat | Axel Disasi v Club Brugge |
| Touches | 50 |
| Completed passes | 41 |
| Defensive actions | 4 |
| Duels won | 2 |
| Recoveries | 4 |
Even if that is the case, starting the 27-year-old against Palace may prove to be an error up against the likes of Eze and Ismaila Sarr.
This could see either Cash or even Ezri Konsa given the shout to start at full-back as Emery looks to shut out the Eagles at Wembley.
Whoever starts, as long as they perform well to allow the likes of Marcus Rashford and Morgan Rogers to flourish, fans won’t care.