Aston Villa fans have defended Wesley on Twitter after he received some criticism for his performance against Chelsea on Wednesday night.
Villa suffered a 2-1 defeat at Stamford Bridge, with Wesley producing a poor performance in the attacking third, which resulted in a number of fans getting on his back.
The 23-year-old has scored four goals since his big-money summer move, as he is seemingly frustrating fans with his lack of action up top.
(Photo by Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
But some Villa fans were compelled to defend Wesley and make it clear that he needs more backing and more patience.
Villa deserved to lose at Stamford Bridge, with Tammy Abraham opening the scoring against his former club, before Trezeguet equalised just before half-time, as Mason Mount ended up scoring what was the winning goal straight after the restart.
It does seem that Wesley is dividing opinion amongst fans, with Jonathan Kodjia, who hasn’t started a game this season, the back-up and Keinan Davis currently on the sidelines with an injury.
(Photo by Chris Lee – Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
But it needs to be remembered that whilst Wesley isn’t scoring goals, his work rate up top and ability to hold up the ball is playing its part in those around him – Jack Grealish, John McGinn, Anwar El Ghazi – scoring goals.
Villa take on high-flying Leicester City on Sunday afternoon, as a solid performance from Wesley will quieten those who have been critical of him lately.
Here is a selection of Villa fans reacting to Wesley’s performance at Stamford Bridge:
Whilst having sympathy for Wesley being isolated, his lack of service & recognisable chances. Acknowledge his effort & work rate, he has to be more robust in order to establish himself for #avfc in the Premier League. Too often & easily put to the ground, has to punch his weight.
— Lee Inman (@LeeInman4) December 4, 2019
Wesley. Is. Not. The. Reason. We're. Losing. #avfc
— Eddie 🦁 (@edeolus) December 4, 2019
The fans gunning for Wesley are the same fans who were gunning for Amavi, Westwood and Veretout. All of which have moved onto better things than Villa and have played in Europe.
They don’t appreciate talent they just want someone who claps at full time after a 0-4 defeat.
— James Lloyd (@LloydyAVFC) December 5, 2019
Anyone slagging Wesley off tonight hasn’t got a clue. Absolutely no service, but his hold up play was excellent. 110% effort once again – can’t complain #avfc
— Sam Burnett (@burnettsam3) December 4, 2019
What’s prompted me to wade into this is seen tweets saying Kodjia should play. Same Kodjia who came on against Liverpool for 8 mins, didn’t sprint once & failed to attack the ball from a corner properly. Wesley may be flawed, but he’s twice as good for the team as Kodj. #avfc
— Alex Berwick (@Alex_Berwick) December 5, 2019
It's all Wesley's fault apparently…
Come on, this #AVFC team wins together & loses together. If they're not all completely at it, the Prem is unforgiving. It's a lot to ask this group to go to the well & produce week in, week out. It was flat, but they'll learn, they'll improve— Mat Kendrick (@MatKendrick) December 4, 2019
Wesley gets so much criticism, what is he meant to do in games like this… #AVFC
— Gary Smith Jnr (@GarySmithJnr) December 4, 2019
How are people getting on Wesley's back for this game? We've been camped in our penalty box since half time. Midfield is totally absent. He's completely isolated. What's he meant to do? Pick it up on the 18 yard line, run the length of the pitch and lash it in? #avfc
— Eddie 🦁 (@edeolus) December 4, 2019