Ezri Konsa holds the key as Manchester United player on verge of Premier League history
Ezri Konsa will have his work cut out this weekend to prevent Bruno Fernandes from creating Premier League history.
Aston Villa welcome Manchester United to Villa Park on Sunday afternoon aiming to keep alive their outside title hopes.
Villa have a rivalry with Man United that goes under the radar, but there is certainly plenty on the line this weekend as the Red Devils are in desperate need of a win to build some momentum.
And one player in particular Villa will have to keep an eye on is United playmaker, goalscorer and captain Fernandes.
Bruno Fernandes on brink of setting Premier League assists record
While it is easy to dislike Fernandes, you simply cannot question his quality. Indeed, Villa supporters know that better than most.
Fernandes has a great record against Villa, scoring seven goals and assisting three more in 12 appearances.
Villa have only won one of the 12 games they have played against a Man United side with Fernandes present, losing nine of those.
| Bruno Fernandes record vs Aston Villa |
| 12 appearances |
| 7 goals |
| 3 assists |
| 9 wins |
| 2 draws |
| 1 defeat |
Fernandes scored one and assisted another for United in their gripping 4-4 draw with Bournemouth on Monday.
That means the Portugal international has now both scored and assisted in his last two Premier League appearances. Not since Ryan Giggs, in April 2003, as a Man United player managed three in a row.
Fernandes has also assisted in each of his last five away Premier League appearances for Man United. If he assists against Villa, he will become the first player to assist in six in a row.
How Konsa can stop Fernandes at Villa Park
Fernandes is not the only danger in United’s squad, but Villa have the better team and will be favourites to collect all three points at Villa Park.
| Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses |
| 200 | 51 | 42 | 107 |
Konsa has been superb again this season, averaging 3.7 clearances per 90 minutes – the most of any Villa player to have started more than six games – and 0.5 interceptions.
He also averages 61.6 passes per game, which is easily the most of any Villa player.
It is defensively Konsa will need to be at his best to deny Fernandes that record this weekend, and on the basis of what we have seen this season, there is no reason why that will not be the case.
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