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Aston Villa season in review: Neil Taylor

By Samantha Richards

BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Neil Taylor of Aston Villa looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Burton Albion and Aston Villa at Pirelli Stadium on April 8, 2017 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)
BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND - APRIL 08: Neil Taylor of Aston Villa looks on during the Sky Bet Championship match between Burton Albion and Aston Villa at Pirelli Stadium on April 8, 2017 in Burton-upon-Trent, England. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images) /
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Neil Taylor arrived at Aston Villa following a swap deal involving Swansea City and Jordan Ayew. The Wales international quickly displaced incumbent left back Jordan Amavi in defense.

LB – Neil Taylor, 28

Appearances: 14

WhoScored Aggregate: 6.84

Dr. Tony Xia made an interesting swap during the January transfer window – seemingly selling his most creative attacker for £5 million and a back-up left back. At the time, the decision to sell Jordan Ayew was met with resounding criticism from the Villa faithful.

Some argued he was playing out-of-place under both Bruce and Di Matteo, limiting production. Jordan Ayew proved last season that he is truly a Premier League-quality attacker in the final third.

Therefore, management’s decision to sell him for £5 million and a left back was curious. Mind you, up to this point Jordan Amavi was performing fairly well just fifteen months removed from ACL surgery.

But wow, was Steve Bruce correct. Neil Taylor came in from Swansea City and hammered down the left back position. Taylor was always known as a well-rounded player both domestically and internationally. Under Wales’ manager Chris Coleman’s 3-5-2, Taylor was an integral part of the team that made it to the European Championship semi-finals (playing alongside Villa teammate and fellow defender, James Chester).

But, for whatever reasons, Swansea executives decided to swap left backs in the squad. Taylor struggled for match time leading into January. A subsequent move for Norwich City’s Martin Olsson made the Welshman expendable.

Neil Taylor’s arrival solidified the Villa defense in more ways than one. Amavi’s defensive frailties highlighted the need for added competition at the left back position. A top-five Championship defense + a run of seven clean sheets in eight matches brought Villa to the promotion mix.

Next: 4 Forwards For Aston Villa To Target

2017-2018 Prediction: Neil Taylor enjoys another fine season in a claret and blues shirt. Jordan Amavi’s uncertain future at the club means Taylor’s left back position is firmly safe at the moment.

Moreover, it is worth noting he is banned for several World Cup Qualifying matches this summer. Taylor was involved in a nasty tackle that broke the leg of Everton and Ireland right back, Seamus Coleman.

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