Aston Villa's right-back woes exposed and why Unai Emery must act quickly

Aston Villa's Champions League opener ended in triumph with a 3-0 victory over Young Boys, but the match also exposed vulnerabilities in their defensive line-up, particularly at the right-back position. Unai Emery faces a critical decision as the Villans navigate the challenges of competing on both domestic and European fronts.

Young Boys clash expose Villa's defensive vulnerabilities

The absence of first-choice right-back Matty Cash, who has been sidelined due to injury, has forced Emery to explore alternative options. Cash's attacking prowess sets a high bar for his replacements to meet, with impressive rankings in shots and progressive carries among Europe's elite full-backs.

In the Champions League encounter, 20-year-old Lamare Bogarde was tasked with filling Cash's shoes but struggled to contain Young Boys' winger Ebrima Colley. Bogarde managed only 18 touches and won just 33% of his tackles before being substituted at half-time, highlighting the challenges of being thrust into high-stakes European competition with limited experience.

Emery can use emerging talent or make tactical changes

As Emery searches for a solution, 18-year-old Serbian talent Kosta Nedeljkovic emerges as a potential candidate. Signed from Red Star Belgrade for £8 million in January, Nedeljkovic has shown promise since his arrival. His standout performance against Arsenal, where he completed 89% of his passes and won 75% of his ground duels, suggests he could be ready for more significant challenges.

Nedeljkovic's loan back to Red Star Belgrade after signing proved beneficial, allowing him to refine his skills before joining Villa. His pre-season performances have been impressive, contributing to Villa's build-up play with composure and accuracy.

Emery has additional options to address the right-back situation. Moving Ezri Konsa to right-back and introducing Diego Carlos in central defence could provide a more experienced line-up. Carlos impressed after replacing Bogarde at half-time against Young Boys, completing 12 of 13 passes and winning 66% of his duels.

With the intensity of the upcoming Midlands derby against Wolves, Emery must weigh his options carefully. The demands of a local rivalry may favour experience over potential, making Carlos a strong candidate to start, with Konsa potentially shifting to right-back.

Balancing youth and experience

Despite being praised as a class player in pre-season, Bogarde may need more time to develop before becoming a regular starter. The Champions League match exposed his current limitations at the highest level, indicating that patience and further development are necessary.

The manager must strike a delicate balance between nurturing young talent and meeting the immediate demands of competing at the highest level. Whether Emery opts for Nedeljkovic's potential, Konsa's versatility, or Carlos' experience could be pivotal in shaping Villa's fortunes in the coming matches.