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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 will play their third game in just under seven days on Saturday as they welcome a stern Burnley side to Villa Park.
Dean Smith will yet again be looking for better fortunes in the Premier League as they have started the season with just one victory in six matches.
Last time out, they were disappointingly defeated by a ten-man Arsenal side despite the west Midlands outfit holding the lead twice, and obviously having that player advantage.
There are no easy games in the top-flight and that trend continues as ninth-placed Burnley make the trip from Lancashire on Saturday.
Sean Dyche’s men managed to keep Teemu Pukki quiet last weekend so it’s likely that their defence will hold the keys to whether Villa can pick up their second win of the season or not.
On the Chalkboard
Most notably, James Tarkowski, who is likely to be the most crucial figure in stopping Villa’s barren frontline from scoring.
Until the Arsenal match, the Villans had scored just four goals and the Gunners’ defence is up there with the worst in the league, having faced more shots than anyone else in Europe prior to kickoff, so too much shouldn’t be taken from the match on that basis.
Tarkowski is winning 4.3 aerial duels per game on average while also averaging a massive 4.2 clearances and 2.3 tackles per match, via WhoScored.
It’s pretty obvious to suggest that Smith will lineup with just the one striker, their only fit senior option too, in Wesley.
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Their club-record man has netted twice this season, including a decent effort against Arsenal, but he will have to improve in other areas if he is going to have success against the 26-year-old.
Wesley has won just 1.7 aerial duels per game and also registers 2.3 unsuccessful touches per match too – something that the two-time England international should thrive off.
It’s the battle of two titans at Villa Park and who comes out on top could well decide the game.
