We’re past the point of no return as we reach Gameweek 20 in the Premier League this season.
Newcastle claimed a huge 2-0 win over Crystal Palace, with goalscorers Malick Thiaw and Bruno Guimaraes both making the cut this week.
However, it’s Aston Villa that are the dominant side after their 3-1 home victory over Nottingham Forest.
Elsewhere, Tottenham, Wolves, Manchester City, Brentford and Everton are represented as we run through the Squawka Score Team of the Week in full.
The Squawka Score is our proprietary performance rating, combining multiple Opta stats into a single percentage. It benchmarks players against their positional peers, allowing quick comparisons. Learn more about how it works here: https://www.squawka.com/en/news/squawka-score-explained/
Read the Squawka Score 2025-26 Premier League Team of the Week for Gameweek 28 here.
GK: Emiliano Martinez (Aston Villa)
- Squawka score: 76%
Kicking off the Premier League team of the week is Aston Villa shotstopper Emiliano Martinez. The Argentine was key as the Villans eased to a routine 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest in Saturday’s early kick off, making four saves to prevent 0.61 goals.
Honourable mention: Jose Sa (72%)
Wolves claimed their first league win of the season, cruising past a sorry West Ham on home turf on Saturday. Jose Sa didn’t have to make a save in a 3-0 victory at Molineux, but set Wolves on the frontfoot well, completing eight long balls in the Midlands.
RB: Pedro Porro (Tottenham)
- Squawka score: 74%
Tottenham – again – failed to make home advantage count as they played out a 1-1 draw with Sunderland on Sunday. Even so, Pedro Porro still did all he could to help his side as he created three chances and made four tackles in the stalemate.
Honourable mention: Matty Cash (72%)
Matty Cash provided his second assist of the season, turning provider for John McGinn’s first in Aston Villa’s 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest. That assist came from the only chance the Pole created. Cash also managed two clearances and completed one take on in the home triumph.
CB: Malick Thiaw (Newcastle)
- Squawka score: 77%
A Newcastle summer signing features at the heart of the defence. Malick Thiaw scored the goal that wrapped up the three points of the Magpies in their 2-0 win over Crystal Palace. The German also made 10 clearances and three tackles in a resolute defensive display.
Honourable mention: Jan Paul van Hecke (69%)
Brighton brushed past Burnley on Saturday, with centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke on hand to keep the Clarets offensive at bay. The Dutchman made eight clearances and returned a 96.15% retention rate as the Seagulls claimed a first league win since November.
CB: Ladislav Krejci (Wolves)
- Squawka score: 70%
Partnering Thiaw at the back, Ladislav Krejci put in a solid rearguard display as Wolves claimed a 3-0 win over West Ham. The 26-year-old made four clearances, two tackles and two interceptions as Rob Edwards’ side finally put their first win on the board.
Honourable mention: Victor Lindelof (69%)
Aston Villa may have eased to a 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest, but they still needed their defensive players to put in a shift to confirm the victory. Victor Lindelof continued his impressive form alongside Ezri Konsa as the Swede made four clearances and managed a 97.4% retention rate against the Tricky Trees.
LB: Ben Davies (Tottenham)
- Squawka score: 72%
Rounding off the defence is the second Tottenham player in the side. Ben Davies marked his first league start of the season with his first goal, though the Welshman knew little of the effort. The 32-year-old also managed five clearances and won three aerial duels in Sunday’s stalemate with Sunderland.
Honourable mention: Lewis Hall (72%)
Lewis Hall was solid at left-back as Newcastle claimed a 2-0 home win over Crystal Palace at the weekend. The Magpies ace made two clearances and won one aerial duel in a clean sheet attaining display.
CM: Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle)
- Squawka score: 78%
Bruno Guimaraes bagged his seventh league goal of the season to set Newcastle on the path to victory on Sunday. Guimaraes stuck with his only shot on target, and worked hard off the ball, too, as he made three interceptions and two tackles in the 2-0 win over Crystal Palace.
| STAT | GUIMARAES | NEWCASTLE RANK |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 1 | =1st |
| Shots | 1 | =2nd |
| Tackles | 2 | 3rd |
| Interceptions | 3 | 1st |
| Touches | 90 | 1st |
Honourable mention: Yasin Ayari (72%)
Yasin Ayari put the result beyond doubt on Saturday, scoring the second in Brighton’s 2-0 win over Burnley. The strike, Ayari’s second of the season, came from two shots. The Swede also made one tackle and one interception in a routine showing against the Clarets.
CM: Rodri (Manchester City)
- Squawka score: 77%
While Manchester City failed to claim all the spoils against Chelsea on Sunday, Rodri still caught the eye on his first league start since October. The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner made three tackles and one interception to keep the Blues midfield at bay in City’s 1-1 draw with the west London side.
Honourable mention: Enzo Fernandez (72%)
Enzo Fernandez rescued a late point a Manchester City on Sunday, getting the better of Gianluigi Donnarumma with one of three shots at the Etihad Stadium. Fernandez also made three tackles and won possession in the attacking third two times for the managerless Blues.
CM: Boubacar Kamara (Aston Villa)
- Squawka score: 79%
Completing the midfield is Aston Villa sensation Boubacar Kamara. The Frenchman dominated in the middle of the park on Saturday, returning four aerial wins, four interceptions and two tackles as Nottingham Forest failed to gain a foothold at Villa Park. Kamara also completed nine passes into the final third in a fine showing.
Honourable mention: Granit Xhaka (74%)
Granit Xhaka excelled as Sunderland claimed a point at Tottenham on Sunday. The Black Cats skipper won four aerial duels against Spurs and completed 10 passes into the final third as Sunderland claimed a result against Thomas Frank’s side.
RW: John McGinn (Aston Villa)
- Squawka score: 72%
Having bagged a brace in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa star John McGinn nails down the right wing spot in the team of the week. The Scot netted with both shots against Forest, and made an additional two ball recoveries.
Honourable mention: Noni Madueke (64%)
Having come into the XI for Bukayo Saka, Noni Madueke was solid in Arsenal’s 3-2 win at Bournemouth. Indeed, the England international completed three take ons and created one chance on the south coast.
ST: Igor Thiago (Brentford)
- Squawka score: 73%
Leading the charge is Brentford hat-trick hero Igor Thiago. The Brazilian ended a six-game goalless run with his 12th, 13th and 14th league goals of the season on Merseyside from six shots, while he won five aerial duels in a barnstorming display.
| STAT | THIAGO | BRENTFORD RANK |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 3 | 1st |
| Shots | 6 | 1st |
| Take ons completed | 1 | =1st |
| Aerial duels won | 5 | 1st |
Honourable mention: Ollie Watkins (72%)
Ollie Watkins struck for the third game running as Villa ran out 3-1 winners over Nottingham Forest. The 30-year-old rifled in the opener on Saturday with one of three shots.
LW: Jack Grealish (Everton)
- Squawka score: 77%
Completing the XI this week is Everton forward Jack Grealish. The Toffees may have crashed to a 4-2 loss to Brentford, yet Grealish was directly involved in both Everton goals, providing a brace of assists from four chances created.
Honourable mention: Crysencio Summerville (66%)
West Ham were dire at Wolves on Saturday, with Crysensio Summerville the saving grace for the Hammers at Molineux. The Dutchman did all he could to set the east London side on the frontfoot as he completed three take ons.