After getting through a thrilling 3-3 draw in their previous Premier League outing at home against Leeds United in midweek, Aston Villa face another challenge against a relegation-threatened team today, this time against Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
On the chalkboard
In terms of which players Villa manager Steven Gerrard could select in his starting XI to take on the Magpies, one man who didn’t start against Leeds but we feel should be in the team from the beginning on this occasion is Carney Chukwuemeka.
Since joining Villa’s youth ranks back in 2016 from Northampton Town’s youth side, the midfielder has gone on to make 65 appearances for the Midlands club across their under-18, under-23 and senior sides across all competitions, racking up 13 goals and 14 assists along the way and highlighting his attacking and creative talents.
Before Gerrard was appointed Villa manager in November, the 18-year-old had only made one appearance for the club in the Premier League, playing 63 minutes as a starter against Brentford back in August.
Since the 41-year-old arrived in the Midlands, the teenager has made seven appearances in the league, all coming off the substitutes’ bench.
With Trezeguet loaned out to Istanbul Basaksehir and Bertrand Traore injured, as well as potentially having Emi Buendia unavailable, this could be a great opportunity for Chukwuemeka to show Gerrard and the Villa fans what he can do.
Taking this into account, the youngster – who is currently picking up £2.4k-per-week according to Salary Sport – may not have a better chance to get his first league start under the current Villa boss.
Labelled an “outstanding” player by former Villa maestro Paul Merson and one could go on to be an “absolute star”, Chukwuemeka could use this opportunity (if he does start) to really make a claim to be a regular in the starting XI for the Villans.
With Newcastle having conceded 44 goals in 22 league games this season, Gerrard could be tempted into starting the 18-year-old to see if he can cause problems for the Tyneside club’s leaky defence and help his side secure a win after dropping two points against Leeds.
In other news: Huge boost: Aston Villa handed big injury update which will surely have fans relieved
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