Aston Villa ace Ian Maatsen has to adjust his game vs Fulham player who's among Premier League leaders
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The story in brief
16-second readAston Villa's Ian Maatsen faces a challenge against Fulham's Oscar Bobb, who is among the Premier League leaders in touches in opposition boxes and has a top speed of 35.5 kilometres per hour. Bobb has created 16 chances and delivered eight successful crosses in eight league games this term. Maatsen will need to adjust his game to counter Bobb's pace.
The full picture
Aston Villa's Ian Maatsen faces a challenge against Fulham's Oscar Bobb, who is among the Premier League leaders in touches in opposition boxes and has a top speed of 35.5 kilometres per hour. Bobb has created 16 chances and delivered eight successful crosses in eight league games this term. Maatsen will need to adjust his game to counter Bobb's pace.
Maatsen is Villa's starting left-back due to Matteo Ruggeri's injury and will be tested by Bobb's pace, which is the fourth-fastest in the Premier League this season. Fulham are likely to seek counter-attacking opportunities, making Maatsen's defensive qualities and footballing brain crucial. Maatsen is a modern-day full-back who loves to bomb forward and contribute to attacking phases.
Maatsen will need to show intelligence in deciding when to commit to an attack and when to stay back to restrict space for Bobb to exploit. He has been inconsistent in his performances for Villa, and this game against Fulham is a must-win. Maatsen's ability to counter Bobb will be crucial in Villa's chances of winning.
At a glance
- Reporting status
- Reported
- Original publisher
- Aston Villa News ↗
- Source published
- Clubs covered
- Aston Villa, Fulham
Attributed publisher reporting. Kickjolly has not independently confirmed the claim.
Source context
Ian Maatsen will be in for a different type of challenge when Aston Villa take on Fulham. The 24-year-old is Unai Emery's starting left-back at the moment, and he's hoping to make that by choice rather than necessity. Indeed, Matteo Ruggeri remains sidelined through injury, leaving the Dutchman as Villa's only natural option in this position. Maatsen is a player who divides opinion amongst supporters, as on his day he looks every bit of a top-quality Premier League defender. Consistency issues have plagued his spell at Villa Park though, and it's this trait that he's perhaps still got the most to prove to Emery.
Source excerpt · Aston Villa News
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