Aston Villa travel to Bosnia tonight to face Zrinjski Mostar knowing a point will be enough to secure top spot. Here’s why Jacob Ramsey has to start…
This season has been a great one so far for Aston Villa which sees them sitting in third place in the Premier League.
Things have gone well, it is safe to say. Following wins over Manchester City and Arsenal, Villa are said to be in a title race.
It isn’t only in a domestic sense where things have been positive. The Villans’ European tour has begun well with four wins from a possible five. Now a trip to face Zrinjski could see Villa win top spot in the group.
Following Unai Emery securing European football last season, things this campaign have gone well. Despite a general lack of changes to the starting XI in the past months, tonight there should be plenty made.
There is one man who should come back in to start for the first time in many months…
Why Jacob Ramsey should start vs Zrinjski?
It has been a tough season for Jacob Ramsey so far. Injury has hampered his campaign and limited him to just eight appearances and no starts.
With qualification to the next round of the Europa Conference League already secure, the Englishman should get a start.
He does already have a goal this season following his excellent finish in the thrashing of Brighton at Villa Park. Last season, he scored six and assisted seven across just 35 Premier League appearances.
According to Fbref, Ramsey ranks among some of the best attacking midfielders/wingers in Europe’s top five leagues. This is especially true in a defensive sense as he ranks in the top 6% for most tackles, with 2.31 per 90. Adding to this he also ranks in the top 1% for clearances with 1.39.
In an attacking sense, he is one of the best progressive players in Villa’s squad. Ramsey registers 3.44 progressive carries per 90 as well as 2.72 shot-creating actions.
The Englishman drives Villa forward, there is no doubt about that and with him in the team, there is a difference. Although the Villans have been good this season, with players returning to fitness, they look like they’ll be getting better.
With Ramsey and Alex Moreno marauding down the left, the deadly duo of last campaign is set to return. Against Zrinjski the pair coming in are likely to cause problems for the Bosnian outfit.
