Unai Emery lauded for transforming Aston Villa man into 'dangerous' star, with team-mate to benefit (original) (raw)
A former striker has praised Unai Emery for getting the best out of Jacob Ramsey in recent weeks, with the midfielder set to help striker Danny Ings as well.
Ramsey has looked brilliant since Emery took charge of the club on November 1. The box-to-box midfielder registered a goal and assist as Aston Villa beat Manchester United 3-1 in the Premier League in Emery’s first match.
In Villa’s next game against Man Utd, which occurred a few days later in the Carabao Cup, Ramsey registered another goal contribution. He burst forward from the midfield before playing in Ollie Watkins, allowing the striker to give Villa the lead.
Unfortunately for Emery’s men, they ended up on the wrong side of a six-goal thriller at Old Trafford. Man Utd ran out 4-2 winners to book themselves in the next round of the Carabao Cup.
Ramsey managed 69 minutes during Villa’s final game before the World Cup break, which ended in a 2-1 win over Brighton. In the first half, the 21-year-old caused his midfield opponents all sorts of problems with his energy and dribbling skills.
Ramsey did tire in the second half and was replaced by Ashley Young with just over 20 minutes to go. He impressed yet again though and should be in the Villa starting eleven when domestic football returns.
During an interview with Football Insider, former Arsenal and Everton goalscorer Kevin Campbell has praised Emery for seeing the potential in Ramsey and helping the Englishman to become a ‘dangerous’ player in recent weeks. Campbell also reckons Ramsey’s runs will help Ings to thrive further forward.
“I like Jacob Ramsey, I think he’s a brilliant young player,” the pundit admitted.
Jacob Ramsey is ‘so dangerous’, says pundit
“He’s so dangerous. And the fact that a midfielder is running beyond the striker, can only be a good thing for Danny Ings.
“He’s thriving right now in his position. Ramsey is taking the attention of the centre-backs, and that gives Ings the room.
“It’s really smart from Unai Emery to come in, and recognise and use the talents that Ramsey has to create a bit more space for his attackers.
“I expect him to improve in this new position because it suits him, and he’s a really good player.”
Ramsey certainly looks like he will be a regular in the Villa team for years to come. And this will be great for their fans to see, given the fact he is a local boy who came through their academy setup.
Villa supporters will also be delighted with how Villa have played since Emery has come in. They have been a lot more attacking and actually appear to have a plan B, something predecessor Steven Gerrard was criticised for lacking.
Emery is a proper tactician. He should be able to pick up on player’s traits better, just like in Ramsey’s case.
Perhaps the Spaniard will be able to help Emi Buendia improve, too. The playmaker cost Villa £40m in summer 2021 but has never been consistently good for the club.