Pau Torres

[brontebilly]

From AV Statto

Aston Villa have lost just two of their last thirty five home games in all competitions that Pau Torres has started, and none of their last nineteen (W14, D5)

If Mings had been in the team it would have been w19, d0, l0

If Diego Carlos had been alongside Mings, it would have been P19 W352 D0 L0

Didn't realise Diego bounced out Fenerbahce so quickly, at Como now.

Emery has traded off weakness in the air for better control of the ball. Onana has been a useful foil for defending the long throws but we also need Martinez far more forceful coming off his line for those deliveries into our box.

[Mister E]

Emery has traded off weakness in the air for better control of the ball. Onana has been a useful foil for defending the long throws but we also need Martinez far more forceful coming off his line for those deliveries into our box.

If all can stay fit, the Torres role supported by Onana's height is a perfect use of the available talent. Fitness - particularly in Onana's case - is critical, but with Bogarde's emergence we also have cover.

[brontebilly]

Emery has traded off weakness in the air for better control of the ball. Onana has been a useful foil for defending the long throws but we also need Martinez far more forceful coming off his line for those deliveries into our box.

If all can stay fit, the Torres role supported by Onana's height is a perfect use of the available talent. Fitness - particularly in Onana's case - is critical, but with Bogarde's emergence we also have cover.

Tielemans will be coming back into midfield though. He's a far superior footballer than Onana. Puts more onus on Martinez particularly but Rogers for his size also needs to improve in the air.

Squad depth looks strong currently not really with new signings but Emery is starting to get a tune from some under performers lately.

[eye digress]

Got done for pace a few times today down our left.

But he made a terrific clearance on the edge of the 6-yard box, and put in some ferocious tackling - not an adjective you’d commonly call for with Pau, but testifies to his new-found aggression.

[PaulWinch again]

He has been a huge part in our resurgence. He’s having a brilliant season.

[usav]

He has been a huge part in our resurgence. He’s having a brilliant season.

Not to mention having to play every game anyway due to Mings long term injury (again).

[Russ aka Big Nose]

A great challenge late on that prevented them having a tap in and defensively he has improved a lot this season.

Though I do think he passing in recent weeks has not been at the level it was. Hopefully that changes quickly. UTV

[Hookeysmith]

Him and Kamara are fundamental to how we play.

Was muted he was the first player he wanted and you can see why

[eamonn]

He doesn't look physically any musclier.
Maybe he has just finally heeded Yul Brenner's pep-talk to Junior Bevill in Cool Runnings:

Yul Brenner: Look in the mirror, and tell me what you see!
Junior Bevill: I see Junior.
Yul Brenner: You see Junior? Well, let me tell you what I see. I see pride! I see power! I see a bad-ass mother who don't take no crap off of nobody!

[rooboy316]

I heard he’s been kissing an egg before every game.

[mrfuse]

Got done for pace a few times today down our left.

But he made a terrific clearance on the edge of the 6-yard box, and put in some ferocious tackling - not an adjective you’d commonly call for with Pau, but testifies to his new-found aggression.

Yeah agree with your comments. He's always going to be susceptible to pace nothing can be done about that specifically. I'm sure Emery and the team work out other ways to deal with that because the pro's out way the con.

[OCD]

That Wolves player was rapid, he'll find a few out for pace.

[eamonn]

I heard he’s been kissing an egg before every game.

And adding to his modern twist on paella to refuel post-Villa victory.

[eye digress]

Was that an ice pack on his calf at the end? :-/

[Hopadop]

They said on the radio that he'd hobbled past them.  But cant have been too bad to be on the pitch at the end?