Aston Villa play Southampton on Saturday, December 21, in what could be a pivotal point in both clubs’ seasons. Currently, Villa sit one place above the weekend’s opponents in the Premier League table, occupying 17th spot, narrowly outside the relegation zone. Only goal difference separates the two clubs, who are both on 15 points, but if Dean Smith is to build a gap between the newly promoted Villan’s and the drop zone he must outwit opposite number Ralph Hasenhuttl by making tactical tweaks to beat the Saints press.
The most effective way to do that would be to play the ball over the top, as opposed to trying to manoeuvre through the Southampton players closing the ball down. Therefore, Wesley’s role in the side will be essential as a target man to hold the ball up and bring the teammates around him into proceedings. The 53 aerial battles the Brazilian has won this season is more than any other player for Aston Villa, but he will be tested against Jan Bednarek who has won 44 for the Saints in defence.
More often than not Anwar El Ghazi has been preferred to teammate Trezeguet on the opposite flank to Jack Grealish, by Smith this season. He should once again opt for El Ghazi, who has scored the same number of Premier League goals as Trezeguet but provided three more assists. Villa’s last league victory was against Newcastle United four matches ago, and if they are to end their winless streak it is essential he plays a part. The Dutchman has a more dominating physical presence, along with having taken on more shots and completed a greater number of key passes than his Egyptian teammate. Trezeguet’s dribbling skills could be useful late on when Southampton have begun to tire.
But to overcome a Southampton side who have produced some excellent performances without getting results Smith’s key man Grealish will have to be on his game. He must not allow the opposition to rapidly close him down and shut Villa’s leading creative and goalscoring threat out of the game. If Smith is unable to get his key man involved, it could be Villa in the relegation zone starting to cut adrift on Saturday afternoon.
