Aston Villa struggles offensively following team roster changes
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 31, 2026, 10:17 PM
Last updated Aug 31, 2026
Aston Villa remains without a shot on target through two Premier League games following a narrow home loss to the reigning champions. The club has undergone a significant personnel turnover this summer, losing key players including goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and forward Ollie Watkins. New arrivals Zion Suzuki and Nicolas Jackson made their debuts during the match, with Suzuki recording multiple saves despite defensive lapses. The team previously suffered a 4-0 defeat to Brighton on the opening weekend. Offensive output has been limited, with the side failing to register a shot on target in a home league game for the first time since 2016. Management expects to finalize additional personnel moves for Ibrahim Mbaye and Taylor Harwood-Bellis on the upcoming transfer deadline day.
- •Aston Villa recorded no shots on target across their first two Premier League matches.
- •Debuts were made by Zion Suzuki, Nicolas Jackson, Alejandro Garnacho, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
- •The club expects to finalize signings of Ibrahim Mbaye and Taylor Harwood-Bellis on deadline day.
- •This performance marks the team's first home game without a shot on target since May 2016.
- 10:17 PMYahoo Sports — Analysis: Emery's new-look team need time
"Unai Emery is having to build an Aston Villa 2.0 after a summer in which he has lost almost the entire spine of his Europa League-winning team. In fact, they are the first team to not have a shot on target after two Premier League games since Swansea City in 2017-18. There were debuts for Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki and ex-Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson – replacements for the departed Emiliano Martinez and Ollie Watkins.
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