Shay Given has dropped praise for the job Unai Emery is doing at Aston Villa but compared them to Newcastle United last term.
Aston Villa are still mixing it with the big boys at the top of the Premier League.
With only two points separating them from leaders Liverpool, it’s difficult to rule them out of the title race just yet, but it feels like their lack of a clinical edge could cost them.
On Sunday afternoon, Villa drew 0-0 against Everton at Goodison Park.
Despite registering 16 shots on goal, as per Sofascore, the visitors were unable to break down a resilient Toffees rearguard, orchestrated by the defensive brilliance of Sean Dyche.
It wasn’t the first time this season, however, that Unai Emery’s side have struggled to break down a low block.
Villa have dropped points against four teams occupying places in the bottom half of the table, drawing against Wolves, Bournemouth and Sheffield United and losing against Nottingham Forest.
At the end of the season, the Villans could curse themselves for not taking some of the several opportunities they created in those matches, especially if they narrowly miss out on Champions League football.
Their struggles against teams towards the lower end of the league have caused a huge topic of debate with former goalkeeper Shay Given weighing in on his verdict.
Shay Given praises Unai Emery and makes Newcastle comparison
When asked whether Villa struggle against defensive teams, Given admitted that it is a possibility.
Speaking on The Monday Night Club podcast, he said: “Possibly. But I think in their manager, they have someone who will look at it and study it and find a way.
“I do think that Aston Villa this year is probably the Newcastle of last season – the team that can sneak into the top four.
Given also went on to praise the job that Emery has done since arriving at the club, hailing him as “amazing” while trusting him to fix the issues they have had.
He added: “Yes, it’s still a big ask and yes, it’s only the halfway mark but the job that Unai has done has just been amazing and I don’t think he’d be worried.
“He got asked that question at Old Trafford when they gave away a two-goal lead and he said ‘We are where we are’ and he was nearly laughing because of the season they’re having. I still think if they can push on, I don’t know, will they sign anyone this window? Perhaps.
The former Villa man may have the answer to that question sooner rather than later.
They are said to be ‘closing in’ on a deal to sign Red Star Belgrade right-back Kosta Nedeljkovic for a fee in the region of £7.8m while the club are set to bid for Besiktas wonderkid Semih Kılıçsoy this week.
Although those two signings alone wouldn’t be enough to keep Villa hot on the heels of Liverpool and Man City, there is every confidence that Champions League qualification is a real possibility, especially with Emery at the helm.
