Aston Villa will take on AFC Bournemouth in Sunday’s Premier League fixture.
Aston Villa didn’t produce their best performance against Lille in the midweek game, but they advanced to the Europa Conference League semifinals with a penalty shootout victory. Now, they turn their focus back to the Premier League, preparing for a challenging encounter against Bournemouth as they aim to maintain momentum in their pursuit of fourth place. However, Unai Emery faces the challenge of reshuffling his midfield due to the absence of Douglas Luiz, who is serving the second match of his two-game suspension.
Douglas Luiz’s season stats
Throughout this season, the former Manchester City talent has emerged as one of Aston Villa’s standout performers, contributing significantly with a total of 20 goal involvements – ten goals and ten assists – in 47 appearances across all competitions, thus posing a considerable attacking threat.
Defensively, Luiz has showcased his prowess by winning an average of 4.5 duels per game, alongside making 1.8 tackles and recovering 5.5 balls per game in the Premier League. In terms of specific statistics, in the Europa Conference League, he has notched up four assists and created three big chances, while in the Premier League, he has recorded nine goals, five assists, and nine big chances created, with an average of 1.6 key passes per game.
While Douglas Luiz’s absence will undoubtedly be felt, Aston Villa managed to adapt adequately in his absence against Arsenal. Unai Emery opted for John McGinn and Youri Tielemans in the midfield pivot within a 4-2-3-1 setup.
Considering the extended match time against Lille during the week, rotation might be necessary, particularly in midfield. Consequently, there could be a reshuffle, prompting Emery to entrust a promising young talent who has been demonstrating considerable potential lately.
Reasons why Tim Iroegbunam should be in the starting lineup against Bournemouth
The 20-year-old has made 11 appearances for the senior team this season, aiming to establish himself as a regular in Emery’s squad. In the Premier League, he has maintained a 90% pass completion rate, succeeded in 60% of his dribble attempts, and won an average of 1.9 duels per game, showcasing his top-flight potential.
Having garnered valuable experience with 32 appearances during a loan stint at QPR in the Championship last season, Iroegbunam’s development has been evident this term. Gareth Ainsworth, his former coach at QPR, praised his abilities, highlighting his smooth dribbling and adept finishing.
Emery seems to be gradually integrating him into the senior setup at Villa, with the prospect showing promise for the future. A starting role against Bournemouth presents an opportunity for him to further display his skills and prove his worth to the manager in the crucial final matches of the season. Ultimately, securing a win and three points is paramount for Villa on Sunday.