Alan Shearer delivers Aston Villa 'statement' as Diego Carlos and Unai Emery named
Latest Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive as Premier League legend is hugely impressed by 2-0 demolition of Arsenal
Alan Shearer, the Premier League's record goalscorer, has picked an Aston Villa defender for his latest top-flight team of the week.
The former Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers star knows more than most about putting the ball in the back of the net, but he has also shown his appreciation for a Champagne defender by selecting Diego Carlos for his towering performance in the 2-0 victory at title-chasers Arsenal.
There was general acclaim for Villa’s performance at the Emirates, orchestrated by sacked Arsenal manager Unai Emery and executed by goalscorers Leon Bailey, Ollie Watkins and the rest of the Lions team.
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And Shearer, a Premier League Hall of Fame inductee, joined in the appreciation, saying of Carlos: “Another player who frustrated some top attacking players who are chasing the title. He didn't put a foot wrong in Aston Villa's outstanding win at Arsenal.”
And in selecting Emery as his manage of the week, the Match of the Day pundit added: “What a statement victory against his former club. Emery delivered an absolute masterclass.”
Garth Crooks picked out another Villa player in naming his Premier League team of the week for the BBC, preferring to praise goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.
Crooks explained in his weekly column: “To beat Arsenal took a superb team performance by Aston Villa from start to finish, and it was a wonderful return to Emirates Stadium for manager Unai Emery.
“His team couldn't have performed any better than a 2-0 win away from home. And as far as tactics go, Villa carried them out to the letter and it started with Emiliano Martinez.
“Playing out from the back, and when Arsenal are pressing, you have to have nerves of steel. Martinez remained unshakeable throughout this entire fixture.
“However, he is a goalkeeper first and foremost and when he was called on to produce something special he did precisely that. His point-blank save from Leandro Trossard at a crucial stage of the match was a turning point in the game and Villa never looked back.
“This is a team and a manager who look like they might be going places.”