While Aston Villa will no doubt rue a missed opportunity of a win against West Brom on Sunday, Wesley’s return and Keinan Davis’ goal were two major bonuses.
Although it was a sloppy, error-strewn performance from Villa at the weekend, having had 24 shots and 70 percent of possession, it was a game that we certainly had the chances to win.
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Instead, we had to settle for a share of the spoils after a 2-2 draw, with Davis coming off the bench to grab his first Premier League goal in stoppage time as he rescued us a point.
Dean Smith has been hit with injury blows this season, particularly with Jack Grealish still sidelined with a shin problem which has now forced him to miss nine games on the spin.
With a lack of options up front, Ollie Watkins has carried a heavy burden this season in leading the line for us and providing a consistent source of goals, but Smith and Villa have now been given a double boost following the weekend.
Davis confidence boost
Davis finally getting off the mark with his goal was a huge moment for the 23-year-old, as he has shown with cameo appearances this season that he can make a positive impact but he’s just been unable to find the back of the net himself.
It’s hoped that he can now build on this confidence boost and become a key figure in the squad, but naturally that will depend on Smith giving him more opportunities as arguably the time has come now to start Davis and see what he can offer when given extended minutes.
That could involve a switch to a 4-4-2 system, as although Watkins is adept at playing on the left wing too in a 4-2-3-1, we’d surely rather have him closer to goal and offering his usual threat in front of goal too.
Wesley makes long awaited comeback
As for Wesley, after 480 days on the sidelines following that damaging knee injury suffered at Burnley in 2020, it was an absolute delight to see him make his comeback for the first-team.
The Brazilian is obviously still short of match fitness and sharpness, but that will come with a steady increase in playing time that he should receive between now and the end of the season.
With his physicality, aerial prowess and goalscoring threat in the box, it adds a crucial different dimension to the Villa attack that will no doubt help Watkins too, with opposition defences having more to deal with as the England international looks to get in behind while Wesley can come short or offer a focal point for his teammates to work off.
Ultimately, Villa are still desperately to get our skipper back as Grealish’s creativity and class in the final third makes all the difference.
It’s hoped that he isn’t too far off making his own comeback now, but when he does return, he’ll have Watkins, Wesley and Davis all looking to get on the end of his creative play to start firing in the goals for us again and hopefully finish the Premier League season off strong.
𝟵𝟭': @Keinan ⚽
Highlights from #AVLWBA. 🟣 pic.twitter.com/GCUyBrL0Oe
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) April 26, 2021