Lucas Paqueta misfires for West Ham v Aston Villa after ’embarrassing’ rant
Lucas Paqueta’s errant finishing cost West Ham United as he failed to fulfil his false-nine role against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Not only was the Brazilian slammed on Sky Sports by Jamie Carragher for an “embarrassing” reaction, but his general play left a lot to be desired in the 1-1 draw at Villa Park on 26 January.
Starting in Graham Potter’s makeshift attacking line alongside the out-of-form Mohammed Kudus, Paqueta dragged two efforts wide from close range in either half and had a goal disallowed for offside.
Lucas Paqueta fails to punish Aston Villa in West Ham display
Having seen out the full 90 minutes – plus two lengthy periods of stoppage time at the end of either half – Paqueta couldn’t quite make Villa pay, with all three of his shots being fired off-target [FotMob].
All three of those shots came inside the box, and two from right in front, as Paqueta half-volleyed wide in the early stages before dragging another around the post from close range.
Those opportunities amounted to 0.44 xG in total, and while he completed 79 per cent of his passes [SofaScore], Paqueta was dispossessed four times, with just one of his four dribbles coming off (25 per cent).
Just seven of his 59 touches came in Villa’s box despite often being the furthest player forward for the Irons, Paqueta was heavily involved in the final-third action as Potter’s side pushed for a late winner.
However, having contested 29 duels in total throughout the game, Paqueta was only able to win 12, with nine of 19 won on the ground and just 30 per cent of his 10 in the air being successful [FotMob].
Paqueta winning and losing three free-kicks apiece contributed towards a stop-start and forgettable clash in the West Midlands, and if Potter’s need for a striker wasn’t already clear, it couldn’t be more evident after this display.
In other West Ham news, Graham Potter has made clear who he wants the Hammers to sign in their hunt for a new centre-forward.
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