It has been a great year for Aston Villa but there are still some players who could improve in 2024. Let’s take a look at three of them…
Under the management of Unai Emery, Aston Villa have gone from strength to strength. Going from a relegation battle, last season, to a fight for Champions League football, this campaign.
There have been some star performers whose profiles have been raised by the results of the club in recent months. From old faces like John McGinn to new signings from the summer, Pau Torres, there have been plenty of positives.
Given how good the Villans have been, there are some stars who could perform better to grab a first-team opportunity. Let’s take a look at three players who could improve…
1. Moussa Diaby
To begin the season, Moussa Diaby was nothing short of electric. In recent weeks he has slowed down and has been a shadow of his former self.
He still ranks highly amongst forwards in Europe’s top five leagues according to Fbref despite a recent lack of output. It must be said that his non-penalty xG ranks in the 28 percentile which leaves 72% of forwards better than him. With that being said, his assist numbers rank him in the top 3% so it isn’t all doom and gloom.
He set himself high standards with two goals and an assist in his first three Premier League games. Since he has only been involved in three goals in 14 appearances. for the Villans. He will need to improve and become more consistent to return to maintaining his first-team place.
2. Matty Cash
Matty Cash had a great start to the season and looked irreplaceable at times to begin the season under Emery. In recent weeks he has been displaced by Ezri Konsa and Villa have been successful in doing that.
Although the Polish international is good going forward, he has sometimes struggled defensively. According to his Fbref his interceptions, blocks and aerials rank him below the 50% of fullbacks in Europe’s top five leagues.
He ranks in the top 2% for non-penalty xG but that is skewed by the fact he has played further forward at times. With Villa looking at right-back options in January, Cash needs to improve if he wants to maintain a first-team spot.
3. Jhon Duran
Although Jhon Duran is young, at just 20-years old he is already doing well when given the chance. Often he is getting chances off the bench when Villa are looking to see games out.
This has seen him commit the most fouls per 90 on average in the whole Premier League. With 4.5 fouls he registers above midfielders like Ryan Yates and Connor Gallagher.
With just two goals so far this season, as a striker, he will need to score on a more regular basis. This is especially true if a new forward option joins the Villans in January, as is rumoured. He has plenty of room to improve given his age so he shouldn’t worry too much.
