Stat Attack – Aston Villa v AFC Bournemouth

Written by Matt Stevenson

Here is the xG timeline for the Villa game. The opening stages were cagey with the first real chance to Diaby on the 22nd minute (1 in 5) who shot wide. Immediately Bournemouth responded with a chance for Ouattara at the far post (1 in 6). There were no more chances until AFCB took the lead, with Kerkez clearly brought down allowing Solanke to strike it home (almost 4 in 5). We were seeing out the first half relatively comfortably until additional time when Villa broke with speed after Christie was dispossessed at the edge of the Villa box and with Smith caught forward. It was still a very good Villa move and finish from Rogers (1 in 5). At half time the xG was A Villa 0.61, AFCB 1.12. The second half started cautiously until Villa went 2-1 up, it was another well-worked counter-attack, leaving Diaby one-on-one to slot home (3 in 5). There was another period of inactivity with the only notable chance being an Ouattara header saved by Martinez (1 in 10) until Villa went 3-1 up. Watkins broke the offside trap, went around Neto and squared it for Bailey to have a tap-in (rated 99%!). After this Villa sat back, with two chances falling to Unal in additional time (one 1 in 4 and 1 in 6). The final xG was A Villa 2.51, AFCB 1.77. Understat had it closer but also thought A Villa had the higher value (2.63 vs 2.05).

Man of the match against Aston Villa Christie Vote Scott Vote Solanke Vote Zabarnyi Vote O. Dango Vote Someone else Vote

The average positions are below. Kerkez (3) started as left-wing / midfield in front of Kelly (5). Apart from this, the team was largely as normal with Semenyo (24) not deemed fit to start and Ouattara (11) playing right wing/midfield. As usual, Kluivert (19) played high with Solanke (9). The first sub was Aarons (37) coming on for Smith (15) as a like-for-like swap with Smith already booked. In the 63rd minute, with AFCB 2-1 down, Semenyo came on for Senesi (25) (who had also been booked) with Kelly switching to the centre, and Kerkez dropping to left back. Semenyo’s central average position may be because he switched flanks. On 76 minutes, Philip (29) replaced Kluivert, and Scott (14) replaced Christie (10). Villa made it 3-1 shortly after, prompting a final substitution with Unal (26) replacing Ouattara and playing very high as Villa sat back.

Kelly had the most touches in total (61) slightly ahead of Zabarnyi (58) and Cook (57). Kerkez had the highest number of touches in the opposition half (32) and in the final third with 24.

AFCB had 23 touches in the opposition’s penalty area. Solanke had the most (6) followed by Kluivert with 5.

Kelly attempted the most passes with 52 and attempted the most in the opposition’s half (19) whilst Kerkez had the most in the final third with 12. We averaged 83% completion with Christie, Kelly and Zabarnyi all having values over 90%.

AFCB attempted 12 crosses, being successful with 4, from 4 different players. Kerkez will be disappointed with no success from four attempts.

Our players tried to take on a man 16 times being successful 8 times. Christie had the most successes, 3 from 4 attempts.

AFCB created 11 chances (2 big). Christie set up 5 of the chances. A Villa created 13 chances, four of which were big.

We had 14 attempts (4 big) noting that chances can be provided after saves, deflections or a defensive error and not created. We hit the target five times. Six players had 2 attempts each. A Villa had 15 attempts, 4 big, and hit the target 5 times.

 

Cook made the most defensive actions with 16. He made most interceptions (3) and recoveries (11). Zabarnyi made most clearances (4) and blocks (2).

According to Opta, AFCB made no errors leading to a chance.

The foul count was AFCB 14, A Villa 7. Kerkez made most fouls (3). Solanke was fouled twice.

The Opta expected goals had Solanke (0.85) as most likely to score primarily due to the penalty (0.79) with Unai and Ouattara being above 0.10. For assists, Christie (0.14) was top, followed by Scott at 0.11.

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