Ian Taylor has urged Aston Villa manager Unai Emery to be ruthless with his team selection as Villa prepare to face Arsenal, with João Gomes emerging as the player at the centre of the discussion.
Taylor, a former Villa midfielder and respected figure around the club, believes Emery must prioritise tactical balance and discipline when deciding which players should form the core of his team against Mikel Arteta’s side.
The timing of the debate is particularly significant following Villa’s difficult opening-day defeat to Brighton. Gomes endured a difficult Premier League debut, receiving a red card as Villa suffered a 4-0 defeat. The Brazilian is now suspended for the Arsenal fixture and will miss the match as he serves the first game of a three-match ban.
That means Emery has already been forced to find an alternative in midfield for Arsenal’s visit to Villa Park.
Taylor calls for a change
Taylor’s message centres on the importance of selecting players who can provide the tactical discipline required against a side of Arsenal’s quality.
“They won’t beat Arsenal with him starting,” Taylor said.
The assessment puts the spotlight on Gomes and the role Emery intends to give him once he becomes available again.
Gomes arrived at Villa during the summer as part of Emery’s midfield rebuild, but his first competitive appearance ended prematurely after his dismissal against Brighton.
The incident has inevitably placed greater attention on the Brazilian’s adaptation to English football and the expectations surrounding his role in Emery’s new-look squad.
Arsenal demand discipline
Villa face a particularly demanding opponent in Arsenal.
Arteta’s side began the Premier League campaign with a 3-0 victory over Coventry City and demonstrated the attacking quality that has made them one of the division’s leading teams.
Against Arsenal, Villa will need to maintain their defensive structure while also competing effectively in midfield.
Arsenal are capable of controlling possession and moving the ball quickly through central areas. Villa therefore need midfielders who can maintain their positioning, win challenges without giving away unnecessary fouls and help the team transition quickly when possession changes hands.
Those requirements make the midfield an important area of focus for Emery.
Gomes’ absence changes Emery’s options
Gomes will not be involved at Villa Park because of his suspension.
His absence means Emery must choose another midfield combination for the Arsenal match, with the manager also integrating several new players following a major summer rebuild.
Leon Goretzka is among the new arrivals who could become important in midfield, although his availability depends on registration and clearance.
The situation gives Emery an opportunity to assess alternative combinations while Gomes serves his suspension.
For Gomes himself, the priority will be returning from his ban and demonstrating that the Brighton dismissal was not representative of what he can contribute to Villa.
Villa need a response
The Arsenal fixture comes after a disappointing start for Villa.
Emery’s team were beaten 4-0 by Brighton, conceding all four goals before half-time and finishing the match with ten men following Gomes’ dismissal.
The result increased the importance of Villa producing a strong response at home.
Arsenal, meanwhile, arrive with confidence after their opening-day victory and have strengthened their squad during the summer.
The visitors could also feature former Villa defender Ezri Konsa, who completed his move to Arsenal and was confirmed as available for selection by Arteta.
Emery must find the right balance
The challenge for Emery is to establish a midfield capable of handling Arsenal’s technical quality while giving Villa enough attacking support to threaten at the other end.
The manager has considerable experience of making tactical adjustments according to the opposition, and this fixture will require another carefully considered approach.
Taylor’s comments add an interesting perspective to that process.
While Gomes cannot be selected against Arsenal because of his suspension, the wider question surrounding his place in Emery’s long-term plans remains relevant.
What happens when Gomes returns?
The most important test for Gomes will come when he is eligible to play again.
The midfielder will have to convince Emery that he can provide the intensity, discipline and composure required to play an important role in Villa’s midfield.
For now, however, the decision has effectively been made for the Arsenal fixture.
Gomes will watch from the sidelines while Emery selects a midfield without him.
Villa’s immediate priority is to respond to the Brighton defeat and produce a disciplined performance against Arsenal at Villa Park.
The match represents a significant test for Emery’s rebuilt squad, while Gomes will have to wait for his opportunity to begin rebuilding his reputation after a difficult first Premier League appearance.
Taylor’s comments have therefore added another layer to the discussion around Villa’s midfield, but Emery’s immediate task is clear: find the right combination to compete with Arsenal without João Gomes.
