We’ve delved into all of the stats using the Squawka Comparison Matrix to pick out a combined Aston Villa and Manchester United XI ahead of the Premier League clash between the two teams on Sunday.
Check the stats and see our eventual combined XI below. The players we’ve chosen to compare are a combination of the team’s most used XI so far this season and a predicted line-up for the match itself.
Goalkeeper: Martinez vs Lammens
Two goalkeepers at opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of experience, one is clearly outperforming the other right now.
Emiliano Martinez dominates Senne Lammens in every category as a goalkeeper except for long passing, which the Belgian completes at a rate of 6.4 per 90 minutes compared to 5.5.
None of that is meant as a criticism of Lammens, who has added much-needed composure and stability between the sticks for Ruben Amorim. He’s just not at the level of World Cup-winning, twice world goalkeeper of the year Martinez yet.
Winner: Emiliano Martinez
Right-back: Cash vs Dalot
With Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui at the Africa Cup of Nations, Diogo Dalot is almost certain to start at right wing-back for Man Utd.
The Portugal international has hit a purple patch recently, with a goal and an assist in his last three Premier League outings. And across the entire season, he’s outperforming the rock-steady Matty Cash in almost every per 90 metric — including creating 0.6 more chances.
Verdict: Diogo Dalot
Centre-back: Konsa vs Lindelof vs Yoro vs Heaven vs Shaw
Man Utd have an extra dog in this particular race due to their system, with Luke Shaw featuring exclusively as a centre-back this season. The England international has been a steady presence for the Red Devils in an injury-disrupted season that has seen the defensive line-up chopped and changed.
Ezri Konsa has been precise with the ball and dominant on the floor, leading this quintet for passing accuracy (95.45%) and ground duel success (65.85%), and with Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres both injured, he’ll be vital to Villa’s chances in this match.
Verdict: Ezri Konsa & Luke Shaw
Left-back: Digne vs Dorgu
Lucas Digne has been one of the Premier League’s most consistent left-backs over the last seven-and-a-half years, and this season is no different, with the Frenchman notching three assists in 15 appearances.
However, he’s outperformed in the per 90 numbers by Patrick Dorgu to a significant degree. The Dane comes out on top for chances created, tackles, ground duels won/success rate, and interceptions. So, while he’s yet to truly prove himself to Man Utd fans, he gets into this side. The coming month could be a huge opportunity for Dorgu in the absence of Dalot and Mazraoui.
Verdict: Patrick Dorgu
Defensive midfielder: Kamara vs Ugarte
With Casemiro suspended, Manuel Ugarte is likely to come into Amorim’s midfield. Surprisingly, he statistically outperforms Boubacar Kamara across a host of statistics, though the sample size is admittedly small.
However, Kamara leads the way for forward passes and ground duel success per 90, which will both be important in this midfield battle on Sunday. The Frenchman is a dominant presence in the middle for Unai Emery.
Verdict: Boubacar Kamara
Central midfielder: Onana vs Fernandes
It’ll probably come as a surprise to absolutely nobody that Bruno Fernandes dominates this particular head-to-head when it comes to chance creation and overall ball playing. The 31-year-old has been one of the most exciting attacking midfielders in the Premier League for a long time now, and this season alone, he’s got five goals and seven assists in 16 appearances.
Meanwhile, it’s Amadou Onana who comes out on top in physical and defensive areas, and the Belgian is a composed figure on the ball, helping Villa progress from front to back.
However, there’s only one winner here.
Verdict: Bruno Fernandes
Attacking midfielder: Tielemans vs Cunha vs Mount
In terms of a creative and physical force, Youri Tielemans is the winner here over Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha. However, it’s not totally clear cut, with Cunha matching him on chances created, while grabbing a couple of goals — the Brazilian should’ve had even more, but has missed 75% of his big chances.
Mason Mount has been a surprise package for Amorim this season, putting in some hard-working and productive performances. However, as an out-and-out midfield force, Tielemans is the standout candidate here.
Verdict: Youri Tielemans
Right wing: McGinn vs Malen
United play without wingers, so it’s an all-Villa affair on the flanks.
John McGinn continues to fill a unique role out wide for Emery, creating 1.8 chances per 90 and slicing open defences with 0.4 through balls.
Donyell Malen has been the impact player from the bench, and predictably, leads the way in metrics like take-ons and shots.
However, McGinn’s quality on the ball, work ethic and leadership have him in the starting line-up for a reason.
Verdict: John McGinn
Left winger: Rogers vs Buendia
Similarly to the right, Villa’s left sees a nominally central player starting ahead of an impact winger. However, with Jadon Sancho unable to feature against his parent club, we’ve put Morgan Rogers up against Emiliano Buendia, who has also spent a lot of time on the flanks this season.
Buendia has been creating twice as many chances per 90 as Rogers so far this season, while also drawing more fouls and scoring at a higher rate.
However, in terms of raw numbers, Rogers is superior. Most importantly, the England man is improving fast, with a brace against West Ham last time out taking him to four goals and an assist in five Premier League appearances since the last international break.
Striker: Watkins vs Sesko
Benjamin Sesko has been working hard for his teammates and selflessly providing when he can. However, he has just two goals in 12 Premier League appearances so far, and that’s exactly why there’s been so much disappointment around him.
Ollie Watkins has also been off the boil so far this season, with just three goals in 16 Premier League appearances. However, he’s built up an impressive portfolio in the English top-flight over the years, while a brace in a 4-3 win over Brighton earlier this month proved how devastating he can be at his best.
