This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Aston Villa face a trip to Manchester this weekend as the Premier League’s reigning champions play host at the Etihad Stadium.
You’d imagine this is their toughest test since opening the season at the Champions League finalists Tottenham, but having picked up back-to-back victories for the first time this campaign, they’ll have every bit of confidence in snatching a result.
After all, Wolves did manage to before the international break.
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After smashing five past Norwich City, Dean Smith’s side saw off Brighton & Hove Albion thanks to late heroics from Matt Targett.
The summer arrival was found with a deft ball from captain Jack Grealish in the 94th minute before he managed to slot home from an acute angle.
On the Chalkboard
Targett has been an influential player on the left-flank since making his long-awaited debut against Burnley.
In his three Premier League appearances, the 24-year-old has improved game-by-game in terms of rating, and even that hasn’t dipped below 7.01, per WhoScored.
Basically, Villa are unbeaten when Targett is in the starting line up.
His presence offers the west Midlanders an attacking threat, much more so than Neil Taylor, and this shift in attitude has contributed hugely to their upturn in form.
Aston Villa’s summer signings’ performances so far this season are rated in the video below…
Targett is averaging 2.3 key passes and 0.3 dribbles per game compared to the Welshman’s 0.1 and 0 respectively – that’s quite the contrast.
Even defensively, the former Southampton is offering more with 2.3 interceptions and three clearances per match, via WhoScored.
When taking a look at the previous matches of the pair, the contrasting playing styles between both of them is even more apparent, below are the heatmaps from the Brighton and Arsenal games – the latter being the last game in which Taylor started.
The 30-year-old’s focal point is well behind the halfway line (right image), whereas Targett has a heavily intensive area in the opposition’s half (left image).
This is far more than Taylor does, and he was playing against ten men in that match for the best part of an hour.
Yes, really. That’s how defensive-minded he is.
This is only emphasised when looking at their average playing position, which can be seen below for the same fixtures, via WhoScored.
Targett’s average position is bang on the halfway line (left image), with the Welshman’s being much further back.
With the £9m-rated man being able to bomb forward, it has allowed Grealish a chance to thrive in the final third as he can cut inside knowing the 24-year-old is going to be there out wide.
Their partnership should continue to flourish, and that will give Villa the best chance of success in attack – in the last two matches alone they’ve netted seven goals.
Whereas in their previous seven matches before that, Smith’s side only scored eight.