Gerrard can get Villa fans rocking by unleashing “amazing” £75k-p/w “talent” v Forest – opinion
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Aston Villa will be looking to continue their recent upturn in form when they take on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Monday evening.
Steven Gerrard was under a lot of pressure as Villa boss but has seen his side pick up five points from the last three fixtures, although the draw against Manchester City was far more creditable than last weekend’s stalemate against 10-man Leeds United.
Despite holding a man advantage against their hosts in Yorkshire, Gerrard’s side rarely looked like scoring and it seems clear that a creative spark is needed if the Villans are going to pick up three points when they face Steve Cooper’s struggling Reds on Monday.
To do that, Gerrard should unleash Emi Buendia from the start at the City Ground, with the Argentinian having struggled for regular game time so far this season.
The former Norwich City man joined Villa in the summer of 2021 but has struggled to live up to his club-record fee, with just five goals and seven assists in 46 appearances, having managed 15 goals and 17 assists in his final season with the Canaries.
Buendia has struck one strike to his name in the Premier League in eight appearances this season but has only started twice, so deserves his chance to feature from the start.
Only Ashley Young and Jacob Ramsay have averaged more key passes than the Argentine this season, which suggests that he has the creativity in his locker to help end Villa’s woes in front of goal.
Despite Leon Bailey and Philippe Coutinho both having more game time this season, they have both averaged just 0.6 key passes per game and have only two goal contributions between them, so surely it is time for Buendia to start.
WhoScored suggests that the 26-year-old excels at through balls and playing key passes, possessing pretty much all the attributes you would hope an attacking midfielder would have, with long shots, finishing, dribbling and set-pieces also listed as his strengths.
Gerrard was full of praise for the £75k-per-week earner after a strong run of form last season, saying:
“He’s a tenacious little character and player, he’s got amazing talent and he’s got stronger and stronger with each training session.
“He believes he can only get better, I have that type of belief in him.”
With the Villa fans no doubt still questioning whether Gerrard is the man to bring European football to Villa Park in the future, the Liverpool legend can get the fans back on side and potentially rocking by unleashing Buendia from the start on Monday, as he can be a big difference-maker and a joy to watch when he is at his creative best.
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