Beast mode Antonio the key to Villa victory
David Moyes provided himself with a blueprint throughout Burnley’s comeback and the annihilation of Freiburg.
Mohammed Kudus’ participation in the Europa League triumph has received a lot of attention, which is understandable. Instead of adding to the vast list of cliches directed at Ghanaians, I’d want to highlight Michail Antonio’s involvement.
On Thursday night, West Ham’s number nine was in full beast mode and unplayable. He was definitely not the star of the show, but his inclusion significantly altered the team dynamic. Freiburg struggled to contain him due to his powerful presence.
It was especially clear when Antonio wreaked havoc in practically every region of the attacking third, making him a headache to follow. His performance was so brilliant that Moyes will have to start him against Villa, which will pose complications.
Unai Emery’s side is fantastic, and I’ve been jealous of his impact. But football can and does change rapidly, and I’ve gone from expecting a crushing defeat at the London Stadium tomorrow to believing we might have a chance.
West Ham will need to attack again if that opportunity is to be converted into points. Not only does the technique bring out the best in our most skilled players, but it also relieves pressure on a creaky defence in need of repair.
If West Ham wins the Premier League game at 2 p.m. on Sunday, I believe Antonio will play a key part.
