Straight
This is how the Aston Villa epic was born. With episodes like the one that happened this Sunday in the 43rd minute of the game at Goodison Park, where Everton had to score 1-0. This was dictated by the long time, the large spaces and the great advantages that favored the attackers over Emiliano Martínez, the only goalkeeper. When Dominic Calvert-Lewin was left alone in front of the goal, there was great excitement in the stands. The goal finally rewarded his patience. They were about to sing when Calvert-Lewin stepped forward with his right foot and aimed the shot at his left post, seeing that the goalkeeper was going the other way. He looked like a beaten goalkeeper. But Emiliano Martínez, alias Dibu, stretched his leg and managed to direct the ball away from the goal with a touch. The marker didn't move. Neither in the 43rd minute nor in the 100th minute.
0
Jordan Pickford, Mykolenko, James Tarkowski, Coleman, Jarrad Branthwaite, Doucouré, Arnaut Danjuma (Dwight McNeil, Min. 63), Jack Harrison, James Garner, Amadou Onana and Calvert-Lewin (Beto, Min. 63)
0
Emiliano Martínez, Álex Moreno, Diego Carlos (Matthew Cash, min. 74), Clement Lenglet, Ezri Konsa Ngoyo, McGinn (Nicolo Zaniolo, min. 88), Leon Bailey (Jhon Durán, min. 63), Boubacar Kamara, Douglas Luiz , Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby (Tielemans, Min. 63)
Goals
referee David Coote
Yellow cards Ollie Watkins (min. 30), Diego Carlos (min. 48), Clement Lenglet (min. 72) and Tielemans (min. 74)
The 0-0 draw was largely the work of Villa's goalkeeper. Enough to give Unai Emery's side 43 points after 21 games played. The result cemented the Birmingham club in third place in the Premier League with the same points as Manchester City, who are already second in pursuit of Liverpool with 45. Another happy exit in an increasingly difficult career. It seems that rivals have begun to unravel Villa's secrets, becoming less surprising, increasingly close when it comes to tackling closed defences.
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The last time Villa dominated an opponent was against Arsenal on December 9th. The pattern repeats itself more and more clearly as the season progresses. Emery's team finds it more comfortable to play against opponents with a dominant team. It is better for strong teams to press with the intention of winning the field and the ball. Things will be complicated for him against rivals who are waiting for him, such as Brentford, Sheffield, Burnley or Everton. So much so that recently even the supposedly strong ones like United have started to behave like small teams against Villa. This happened on December 26th at Old Trafford when Ten Hag ordered his players to go out and wait for their opponent. They denied themselves space for the counterattack and monitored the goal in the event of a defensive change. United took Villa into territory of noise and haste. Without spaces, the team lacked clarity. Also this Sunday at Woodison Park, where Sean Dyche copied Ten Hag's plan. The news is already spreading through the Prime Minister like wildfire: Villa will be contained by giving him the initiative.
“Man break”
Villa deserved more against Everton. But not much more than a 0-0. The team was unable to find a way to penetrate the densely packed defenses in the Pickford area and eventually became involved in unsuccessful searches. Sometimes the long ball to Watkins and Diaby, sometimes the management with Douglas or Tielemans to get the inside pass, sometimes the crosses, almost always the dizziness and shock and a feeling of lack of control that only disappeared when the ball went through Hands or feet of Emiliano Martínez, Villa's true breaker. The team led by Emery is all about the goalkeeper and no one has more ball than his centre-backs Diego Carlos, Pau Torres or even Lenglet, stationed on the left as a false full-back. The four of them tried to create surprising attacks. But the formula didn't work against Everton. Since there was no goal, Dibu secured the goal.
The result of the other game of the day was a breath of fresh air for Aston Villa. United and Tottenham drew in an exciting game (2-2), which slowed them down in their race for a place in the Champions League quartet. Tottenham are fifth with 40 points, as are Arsenal with a game more, and United are seventh with 32 points.
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