Aston Villa are eyeing their first win in February as they welcome relegation-threatened Watford to Villa Park on Saturday.
After a positive start under Steven Gerrard, Aston Villa have lost their way a bit over the past few weeks. Since a narrow win over Everton in the third week of January, the Midlands outfit have dropped points to Leeds United and most recently suffered a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Newcastle United.
The dip in form means Aston Villa remain in the bottom half of the table and are six points adrift of ninth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion. With a top-half finish remaining an ambition, the Villans need to pick themselves up quickly and gather winning momentum, starting with Saturday’s clash against Watford.
Currently in 19th place, just one point ahead of bottom club Burnley, Watford haven’t had the greatest of starts under Roy Hodgson. The former England national team boss is serving as the third different manager for the Hornets this term, following the departures of Xisco Munoz and Claudio Ranieri.
Under Hodgson, Watford started out with a goalless draw with Burnley, before losing to West Ham and Brighton. Another loss on Saturday could see them slide towards the bottom of the league table, especially with the Clarets having two games in hand.
The Hornets were the victorious side in the reverse fixture, securing a 3-2 win at Vicarage Road in August. However, things could get much trickier this time around.
Team News & Tactics
Aston Villa
Aston Villa remain without the services of Bertrand Traore and Marvelous Nakamba through injury, whereas Ezri Konsa will serve the last of his two-match ban. Other than that, Steven Gerrard does not have to deal with any fresh injury woes heading into this Watford game.
Gerrard: “We knew collectively that we had let our supporters down [at Newcastle], so tomorrow is all about a reaction.”
That’s all for now, the full presser will be available on our membership platform and VillaTV soon. ? #AVLWAT pic.twitter.com/9Ug7etAhLy
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) February 18, 2022
As for the starting eleven, Konsa’s absence means Calum Chambers is a favourite to once again form the central defensive partnership alongside Tyrone Mings. The two will be hoping to offer better resistance in front of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after failing to keep a clean sheet against Newcastle United.
Elsewhere in the backline, Matty Cash and Lucas Digne should occupy the full-back roles. They are set to be tasked with the responsibility of providing width going forward. Digne, in particular, could play a vital role with his crosses into the box.
Meanwhile, in midfield, Morgan Sanson is pushing for a place in the starting eleven ahead of Douglas Luiz. The Frenchman offers more creativity, which could be useful alongside two dynamic partners in John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey, both of whom are capable of making driving runs into the opposition half.
On the attacking side of things, Philippe Coutinho and Emiliano Buendia remain favourites to occupy the attacking midfield roles. They are set to play a vital role in offering creativity in the final third. But Gerrard faces a selection dilemma in the number nine role, with Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins competing for the spot. Ings could emerge as the favourite in light of Watkins’ recent struggles to find the back of the net.
Probable Lineup (4-3-2-1): Martinez; Cash, Chambers, Mings, Digne; McGinn, Sanson, Ramsey; Buendia, Coutinho; Ings
Watford
Despite the 2-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, Watford were given a massive boost by the return of Ismaila Sarr. The Senegalese frontman is back in contention to start after helping his country win the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this month.
“He'll win us games.” ??
? @BenFoster heaped praise on Ismaïla Sarr during his appearance on #InsideTheHive.
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) February 18, 2022
Sarr should occupy the wide attacking role, partnering Joshua King and Emmanuel Dennis to form the Watford frontline that could cause problems for the Villa defence.
Things get interesting in the middle of the park, where Roy Hodgson is likely to employ three central midfielders. Moussa Sissoko has been a regular feature in this Watford side, and his experience could go a long way in solidifying the second line of press from the visitors.
The former Spurs midfielder is set to accompany Edo Kayembe and Tom Cleverley, although Hodgson also has the option of deploying Imran Louza. It will be interesting to see how these three manage to combine and make life difficult for the Aston Villa playmakers, with Coutinho, in particular, likely to attract close attention.
Defensively, the onus will be on the back four, comprising Kiko Femenia, Craig Cathcart, Samir and Hassane Kamare, to put a stop to Villa’s attacking endeavours. It will be a challenge for them to keep a clean sheet, with goalkeeper Ben Foster himself gearing up for a busy encounter this weekend.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Foster; Femenia, Cathcart, Samir, Kamara; Sissoko, Kayembe, Cleverly; Sarr, King, Dennis
Key Stats
- Aston Villa have lost just one of their last nine home league games against Watford, going down 3-2 in November 2015.
- Watford have won four of their last five league games against Aston Villa, just one fewer than they had in their first 16 meetings with the Villans.
- Aston Villa are one of three teams to have scored in 100% of their Premier League home games this season, along with Liverpool and West Ham. Overall, the Villans have scored in their last 12 home games in the league, their longest such run in the competition since a run of 16 between May 2007 and March 2008.
- Aston Villa have conceded 18 goals in their last eight Premier League home games, one more than they had in their previous 17 at Villa Park.
- Watford have failed to score in their last four Premier League games – they last had a longer run without a league goal between September and October 1987 (5), during a season in which they were relegated from the top-flight.
Player to Watch
Ismaila Sarr
Ismaila Sarr is set to be the focal point of the Watford attack following his return from the AFCON. The Senegalese international is considered one of the most gifted young wingers in the Premier League. His pace and trickery on the flanks could go a long way in strengthening the Watford attack this weekend.
It will be particularly interesting to witness how Sarr combines with two equally capable forwards in King and Dennis. The three are blessed with the speed and technical prowess to make life difficult for the Villa defence, especially in the prolonged absence of defensive stalwart Ezri Konsa.
Prediction
Aston Villa 2-1 Watford
Given the quality of attack present in both teams, this game guarantees goals. While Aston Villa have struggled for form lately, the presence of gifted attackers like Coutinho, Buendia and Ings could see them test the Watford defence from time to time. The Hornets pack quite a punch as well, especially with the return of Ismaila Sarr.
Villa, though, are the more balanced side on paper and remain the favourites to clinch all three points. But they will certainly need to be careful of their opponents, especially on the counter, with both Cash and Digne susceptible to leaving acres of space behind them.
