Another game. And another woeful defensive performance from Aston Villa.
Make that eight games without a win for Aston Villa and the struggle is really starting to show for Unai Emery’s side, especially in the Premier League.
To the majority of the fanbase, Villa’s defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge isn’t a surprise because the signs have been there all year long – only one clean sheet in the league all season and that was against a Manchester United side who sacked Erik ten Hag weeks later.
In recent transfer windows, the powers that be have tried to add bite to the defence, but they have been handcuffed because of Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and Financial Fair Play (FFP).
There are some who think that the club simply haven’t done enough and should have signed a right-back in the summer.
Matty Cash’s is Villa’s starting right-back, with Ezri Konsa also playing that role on occasions, whilst academy star Lamare Bogarde has also filled in, alongside with teenager, Kosta Nedeljkovic.
Last January, Villa brought in Nedeljkovic, but loaned him straight back to Red Star Belgrade, before he joined up with his new club in the summer.
The 18-year-old has been used in a sporadic manner by Emery, but the manager’s call before the trip to Stamford Bridge is further proof that he could now be headed for a January move.
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Kosta Nedeljkovic left out of Aston Villa’s squad for Chelsea trip
Interestingly enough, Nedeljkovic travelled with the squad to London for the Chelsea match, but wasn’t named on the bench, as posted by John Townley on Twitter.
He has played only 93 minutes of Premier League football this term and it seems as though three players are ahead of him to start – Cash, Konsa and Bogarde.
The latter started Villa’s 2-2 draw against Crystal Palace last month and it seems as though Emery is favouring him over the young Serb.
With Nedeljkovic playing 190 minutes across two other competitions – two starts in the League Cup – then it further proves that a move in January is on the cards
There is no point in the player hanging about, Villa have to loan him out, let him get minutes and then re-asses the him in the summer.
Kosta Nedeljkovic of Aston Villa FC interacts with Coach Unai Emery of Aston Villa FC during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 mat...
Photo by Joris Verwijst/BSR Agency/Getty Images
“Unai Emery hands Jaden Philogene a start vs Chelsea, while Ezri Konsa also returns to the #AVFC XI as Diego Carlos and Leon Bailey drop to the bench,” wrote Townley pre-match.
“Amadou Onana is not involved, while Kosta Nedeljkovic travelled but isn’t named in the matchday squad.”
Unai Emery hands Jaden Philogene a start vs Chelsea, while Ezri Konsa also returns to the #AVFC XI as Diego Carlos and Leon Bailey drop to the bench.
Amadou Onana is not involved, while Kosta Nedeljkovic travelled but isn't named in the matchday squad.
— John Townley (@johntownley11) December 1, 2024
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Nedeljkovic stats for Aston Villa
It needs to be noted that Nedeljkovic turns 19 later this month, so he has a long way to go and a lot of learning to do.
During the period he has been on the pitch, he hasn’t done much wrong, it’s probably just a case of him being too inexperienced to be thrown into the deep end.
WhoScored have rated Nedeljkovic’s performances overall – including for his games against Serbia – at 6.24.
Tournament Apps Mins SpG PS% Drb Tackles Clear AerialsWon Rating
League Cup 2 180 0.5 87.6 1.5 1 2 0.5 6.45
Premier League 0(3) 93 – 85.7 0.3 2.3 1 – 6.32
UEFA Nations League A Serbia 4(2) 305 0.2 88.9 0.3 0.5 0.8 – 6.15
Champions League 0(1) 10 – 90 – 1 1 – 6.12
Total / Average 12 588 0.2 88 0.5 1.1 1.1 0.1 6.24
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