Marco Bizot shines – Three decisions Unai Emery got correct for Aston Villa against Feyenoord
Aston Villa extended their winning run to three games with a 2-0 victory over Feyenoord in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
The game was not without controversy, as Feyenoord‘s Anel Ahmedhodzic controversially avoided a red card in the opening stages for taking Ollie Watkins down as the last man, while the hosts were denied an opener as Rade Obrenovic had already blown his whistle for a foul on Matty Cash before Ayase Ueda’s header crossed the line.
Emi Buendia finally found the breakthrough on the hour mark with a well-taken shot from the edge of the area, while club-captain John McGinn then scored his second in as many Europa League games as the ball fell to him from Donyell Malen’s blocked shot and he sealed the victory ten minutes from time.
Unai Emery‘s future at Aston Villa has been questioned after their poor start to the season, but this was much more like it once again, and Football Insider have looked at three things that he got absolutely spot on to help his side to victory at De Kuip.
Trusted Marco Bizot after Emi Martinez’s late injury
Marco Bizot was given a start in two of Villa’s first three league games of the campaign following his summer move from Stade Brestois, but he has been limited to appearances in the cup and Europe since Emi Martinez‘s full return to fitness a month ago.
Bizot shone against Bologna last week, and he was named on the bench for the Feyenoord clash before Martinez had to pull out just minutes before kick-off with a knock.
Emery could have chosen to stick by the Argentine keeper, considering his obvious quality and the fact the team had trained with him starting in mind in the lead-up to the game, but Bizot was instead trusted to start once again, and that proved to be the correct call.
The Frenchman preserved his clean sheet in outstanding fashion as he made eight saves and had an 88% pass success rate [Fotmob], with Emery rightly calling his performance “fantastic” after the game.
Started Emi Buendia at number 10 and Morgan Rogers on the wing
Prior to this clash, Buendia had not started as a number 10, or central attacking midfielder, all season, with Morgan Rogers mostly trusted there from the off and the Argentine playmaker shifted out to the left-wing.
Emery switched his tactics up this time around, and his decision to start Buendia centrally and Rogers, who has seriously struggled for form this season, out wide proved to be a masterstroke as they both put in great performances.
Buendia took his goal really well to notch his second in as many games, while Rogers completed the most dribbles (5) and won the most duels (7) in the match [Fotmob], while also drawing two fouls and making seven passes into the final third.
Brought Donyell Malen on to help seal the win
Villa were tiring somewhat as time ticked on at 1-0 up, but Emery moved to bring Donyell Malen on in the 71st minute to try to kill off the game rather than sit back and protect his side’s lead.
That clearly proved to be the right call, as the Netherlands international caused Feyenoord’s backline problems and created McGinn’s goal by aggressively driving forward with the ball before the defender’s last-ditch block played the ball into the Scotsman’s path for a simple finish.
Malen did more than the ineffective Watkins, who continued his stuttering start to the new season, and may have given Emery some food for thought when he picks his side for the Villans’ Premier League clash against Burnley this weekend.