'That's nonsense' - Ex-Aston Villa star hits out at claims over 'unsustainable' goal scoring form
An ex-Aston Villa striker has hit back at claims about the club’s goalscoring exploits this season
Aston Villa secured another important Premier League victory on Sunday, as local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers were overcome 1-0 at Villa Park.
Boubacar Kamara’s perfectly-struck hit from the edge of the box found the top corner to win the West Midlands derby, which consigned Wolves to a 13th match without a win this term.
Villa have won seven league matches in eight – nine out of 12 in all competitions – and have begun to stake a strong claim for a top-four finish as rivals such as Liverpool and Tottenham falter. The run has not been short of criticism, though, as the Villans have created less clear-cut chances than in previous years and Ollie Watkins has struggled to make any impact with just one goal in 19 games.
Villa travel to Brighton & Hove Albion on Wednesday night in search of a fourth straight Premier League win, and a former player has had his say about the recent goal scoring form displayed by Unai Emery’s side.
Chris Sutton speaks on Aston Villa goal scoring during PL predictions
Chris Sutton has been predicting this midweek’s Premier League results for the BBC and had his say about Villa ahead of their trip to the Amex.
"There is apparently some debate about whether Villa's xG [expected goals] is unsustainable because they are scoring from long range, but that's nonsense," said BBC Sport pundit and former Villans striker Sutton.
"Villa have good players who can shoot from the edge of the box, so are you seriously going to tell them not to shoot now, because of xG? Give me a break."
Sutton was predicting the division’s results alongside musician and author Felix White. The Premier League title winner with Blackburn Rovers continued: “Villa are playing well right now but this is a tough trip for them and with their heavy schedule it might be a game too far.
“Brighton are in great form too, especially at home. Their boss Fabian Hurzeler has done a great job there. The Seagulls have got plenty of firepower and a strong squad so, on that basis, I am going to back them.”
Sutton predicted a 2-1 home victory for Brighton, while White also predicted the same result in a victory for the Seagulls. AI predicted Villa to leave with all three points, also 2-1.
‘It was fantastic’ - Kamara and Emery speak after victory
Villans match-winner Kamara said after derby victory: "We knew before the game that this was a special game for the fans and the team. We know how we are in the table so we have to keep progressing. It's an important three points. The first half they played very well, defended strongly and attacked well. In the second half we kept the ball better and the atmosphere helped."
He added on his goal: "It's very fast so good control, I try to shoot and after I see the ball was good. I'm happy with the goal.”
Emery said of his side’s tendency to score from outside the box: "They practice a lot in training and then you must show it in the matches. The goal was fantastic. They were defending low but we were pushing and doing more passes before shooting. They had two or three chances but Emi Martinez made good saves. We did a great job."