Emery’s side have not been helped by their goalkeeper, of course. He has been uncharacteristically poor, making errors that have cost his side points. But it is not just the back five that are at fault. Villa have been far too open in midfield, allowing opponents to cut through them far too easily. The expected possession value of their passes is the fourth lowest in the league, indicative of a side that is not getting on the ball much and when they do they are not making it count.
Perhaps the most concerning aspect of Villa’s season so far is the number of shots they are giving up. Opponents are attempting 16.7 shots per 90 against them, only Norwich and Watford are more porous. That is a problem that will need to be fixed if Villa are to climb the table and reach their goals for the season.
Manchester United vs. Chelsea: The battle of the big spenders
When these two sides meet on Sunday, it will be a clash of two of the biggest spending clubs in the Premier League. Both Manchester United and Chelsea have invested heavily in their squads in recent seasons, with the aim of returning to the top of English football.
Manchester United have spent big on players like Erling Haaland, Kalvin Phillips, and Jude Bellingham, while Chelsea have brought in the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Declan Rice, and Jules Kounde. Both clubs have high expectations for this season, and will be looking to make a statement in this game.
United are currently sitting in fourth place in the Premier League table, while Chelsea are in sixth. Both teams will be looking to secure a win in this game to boost their chances of finishing in the top four and qualifying for the Champions League next season.
It promises to be a fascinating battle between two teams with star-studded lineups and big ambitions. With so much talent on display, this game could be one of the highlights of the Premier League season so far.
Predictions for Matchday 10
Now, onto our predictions for all 10 Premier League matches this weekend:
- Newcastle 1-1 Arsenal
- Spurs 2-0 Aston Villa
- Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea
- Watford 0-2 Brighton
- Leeds 1-2 Norwich
- Southampton 1-1 Burnley
- Crystal Palace 1-0 Everton
- Wolves 2-1 West Ham
- Leicester 2-2 Liverpool
- Brentford 1-1 Manchester City
There you have it, our predictions for Matchday 10 in the Premier League. It promises to be another exciting weekend of football, with plenty of drama and action to look forward to. Enjoy the games!
Villa’s defensive performance this season has been a mixed bag, with 11 goals conceded in nine games. However, the quality of shots taken by opponents like Dwight McNeil of Everton and Matheus Cunha of Wolves has played a significant role in this statistic. Despite a couple of exceptional goals conceded, Villa’s defensive structure has shown promising signs of improvement compared to last season’s vulnerabilities.
One notable change in Villa’s defensive approach is the reduction of offside traps, a strategy frequently employed by Emery’s team in the previous season. While effective in catching opponents off guard, it also left them vulnerable to direct shots on goal. This season, the frequency of offside traps has decreased, resulting in a lower expected goals conceded per shot ratio. This adjustment could be attributed to a change in midfield personnel, with players like Douglas Luiz and Boubacar Kamara providing stability in the middle of the park.
The demanding schedule of the Premier League, Champions League, and EFL Cup has also influenced Villa’s defensive tactics. The squad’s lack of depth has forced them to conserve energy and adopt a more conservative approach in certain matches. This was evident in their recent game against Manchester United, where they opted to sit back and absorb pressure rather than pressing high up the pitch.
Game state has also played a role in Villa’s defensive strategy, with the team adjusting their defensive line based on the scoreline. When trailing, they have pushed up to apply more pressure, as seen in their comeback win against Wolves. However, the heavy defeat to Tottenham last season serves as a reminder of the dangers of being too aggressive in defense.
Looking ahead to the match against Chelsea, it will be interesting to see how Villa approach the game under interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy. With limited time to implement new tactics, Van Nistelrooy may opt for a more straightforward and familiar system to avoid complicating things for the players. This could result in a clash of styles against Chelsea, who are starting to settle into Enzo Maresca’s system.
Overall, Villa’s defensive improvements this season indicate a more solid foundation at the back. While there are still areas to work on, the team’s adaptability and willingness to make tactical adjustments bode well for their prospects in the remainder of the season. Villa fans will be hoping for a resilient defensive display against Chelsea and a positive result to build on moving forward. The digital age has brought about significant changes in the way we live our lives, from the way we communicate to the way we work. One of the most noticeable changes has been the rise of remote work, allowing employees to work from anywhere in the world as long as they have an internet connection.
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