Manchester City need more from their wingers which stood out against Villa | OneFootball

As Manchester City went down to a 1-nil defeat to Aston Villa on Sunday, the lack of attacking threat from Oscar Bobb and Savinho on the wings did stand out. The pair started on the right and left wing, respectively, but neither player could influence the game as they would have liked. Manchester City’s defeat doesn’t lie at the feet of Bobb and Savinho. But their performances show an area in the City squad that needs improvement.

Manchester City had no threat out wide against Villa until Jeremy Doku came on.

Neither Savinho nor Oscar Bobb could get into Sunday’s match at Villa Park. Oscar Bobb spent his time on the pitch on the periphery of the game. When the young Norwegian international got on the ball, he couldn’t beat his man or break open a stubborn Villa defence. It was a frustrating performance from Bobb for the 61 minutes he was on the pitch, and it showed how far he still has to come as a player.

Savinho had ample opportunities to break open Sunday’s match on the left wing. He often received the ball in dangerous positions, but his delivery was poor, and he squandered several dangerous opportunities. When Savinho did have his chance to level Sunday’s match in the second half, he saw two goal-bound efforts denied by some desperate Aston Villa defending. The Villa defenders deserve credit for their efforts on that occasion. But overall, Savinho’s performance against Villa was a frustrating one. It also showed what areas of the Brazilian international’s game need to be worked on.

Jeremy Doku replaced Oscar Bobb in the 61st minute. Savinho switched from the left wing to the right, and Doku played on the left. Doku was lively when he came on. He got in behind the Villa defence on several occasions, but his crosses were either blocked or didn’t find any of his teammates. Doku offered more than Savinho and Oscar Bobb, and perhaps he should have started Sunday’s match. But ultimately, he couldn’t change the game either. The performances from all three of Oscar Bobb, Jeremy Doku, and Savinho show that City’s young wingers need to improve to add more of a consistent attacking threat to Pep Guardiola’s side.

Summary.

The potential and talent are there for Oscar Bobb, Savinho and Jeremy Doku to become top-quality players. In the case of Bobb and Savinho, Sunday’s loss to Aston Villa showed that they aren’t elite wingers yet. They didn’t influence the game in any meaningful way, and they do need to do more in matches. It is hoped that Sunday’s match can be a lesson for the pair. Doku sits in a similar boat to that of Bobb and Savinho. His form has plateaued in recent matches. If the trio can become consistent and more dangerous in the final third, Pep Guardiola’s side will be a much more formidable side. That was one of several lessons to come out of Manchester City’s frustrating defeat to Aston Villa.