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How do you explain a series of results that have seen Aston Villa go from beating Premier League champions Liverpool 7-2 to losing back-to-back matches against Leeds and Southampton, conceding at least three in each?
Dean Smith’s team produced a dismal performance in the first half Sunday afternoon against the Saints, and the visitors surprised them in spectacular fashion.
First, Jannik Verstergaard put Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men in front, before a pair of stages by James Ward-Prowse saw them go 3-0 up at halftime. After Danny Ings appeared to have polished Southampton’s victory, Villa scored three in the final half hour to regain some pride.
Who should Villa start with?
Bertrand traore
Trezeguet
But when Smith reviews the video Monday morning to assess how things fell apart, he certainly won’t have much to praise about his team. Apart from Trezeguet.
The Egyptian international, who was benched in favor of Bertrand Traore’s summer signing, reached the middle of the opening period and provided the injection of work pace and courage that Villa desperately needed.
While he didn’t score a goal or assist, the winger was the most dangerous player on his team over the course of the game. According to Sofascore, he fired four shots in total at goal, three of them drawing saves from Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy.
He also tried five dribbles and sent two crosses over the course of the game, although the only aspect that may concern him is the fact that his teammates were not looking to give him more ball.
He had just 30 total touches after entering and only made eight passes. Trezeguet was the only real spark for Villa, excluding the last few minutes that really turned the heat up, and Smith will have been impressed by the way his replacement came in with the right attitude.
He now has an important call to make on whether he will bring him back from the start next week against Arsenal.
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