Aston VillaA 2-1 win over Manchester City would have given Unai Emery There is a lot of confidence heading into the festive season, but the Spaniard does not want his team to rest on their laurels.
They face Newcastle United in Premier League On Boxing Day afternoon, it will be another tough challenge.
The Magpies have won their previous three matches in all competitions, scoring 11 goals while conceding just one.
Emery has to be careful Alexander Isaacwho impressed against Ipswich Town last weekend…
Why Aston Villa needs to stop Alexander Isak
The Swedish striker enjoyed his time against Tractor Boys, scoring a brilliant hat-trick to seal his goal His tally is 11 goals For this season.
It was the fourth consecutive Premier League game in which he has scored a goal and Emery will be hoping his defense can keep the former Real Sociedad striker quiet at St James' Park this afternoon.
When compared to his peers in the Premier League this season, it's Isaac Ranked first 2% In shot creation movements (3.6), top 2% in successful kicks (1.43) and top 10% in non-penalty goals (0.75) per 90.
Given time and space, Issac Villa would be punished today, there's no doubt about it. With confidence flowing through the squad, can Emery unleash his own version of the Newcastle striker?
Alexander Isak, Aston Villa player
Ollie Watkins He will be desperate to add to his goal tally in the North East today, and just as Isak is Newcastle's talisman, Watkins has proven to be the main threat in front of Villa's goal in recent seasons.
Since the start of the 2023/24 season, the Englishman has done just that He scored 34 goals In all competitions alongside providing 18 assists in the process.
|
Isak vs. Watkins in the Premier League this season |
||
|---|---|---|
|
metric |
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|
Objectives |
10 |
7 |
|
Helps |
4 |
3 |
|
Total shots per game |
3.1 |
2.6 |
|
It created great opportunities |
7 |
3 |
|
Key passes for each match |
1.6 |
0.7 |
|
Total duels won per match |
2.8 |
2.9 |
praised as A nightmare to play against By England defender Conor Coady Watkins has the potential to wreak havoc on Newcastle's defense this afternoon. That's for sure.
Aside from his goal contributions, he is a center forward Created three big chancesaveraging 0.7 key passes and averaging 2.6 shots per game in the top flight.
When compared to his peers in the Premier League this season, Watkins is anything but Ranked first 2% for touches in the opposition penalty area (6.97) per 90, but he also ranks in the top 13% for total shots (3.4) and assists (0.24) per 90 in Serie A.
These stats prove that he is among the best strikers in the league by these measures, which will certainly worry Eddie Howe.
John Doran has certainly stolen some of the limelight recently, but if Watkins is unleashed into the starting line-up today, he could make fans forget all about the Colombian's recent exploits.
Another win would allow Villa to continue their climb up the Premier League table towards the coveted Champions League spot.
It will be difficult to stop Toone, especially Isak, but in Watkins, Emery has his own version of the Swedish sensation.
