Aston Villa and Chelsea are currently grappling with challenges as they face inconsistencies in away performances and individual form slumps. Aston Villa have endured a tough spell on the road, suffering seven losses in their last nine Premier League away games. Their struggles deepened following a 4-1 defeat at Crystal Palace. Meanwhile, Chelsea's Cole Palmer finds himself in an unusual rut, having not scored in seven games, despite his impressive shooting stats against Southampton.
Palmer's form raises concerns for Chelsea as they aim to qualify for the Champions League. Despite the forward's seven shots against Southampton, more than any other player on the pitch, he has failed to convert these opportunities into goals. Additionally, Palmer has not provided an assist in 14 games, a worrying trend for a player who is often seen as the team's talisman.
"All the big players go through bad moments where they struggle to score," said Enzo Maresca.
Maresca remains optimistic about Palmer's ability to overcome this challenging phase. He acknowledges Palmer's experience at a big club and trusts that the player will regain his confidence.
"It is lucky because Cole had time in a big club with big players and knows players go through moments like this. He's reacting perfectly, he is laughing. He has to enjoy football," Maresca added.
While Chelsea seeks to reignite Palmer's spark, Brighton's Yankuba Minteh showcased his defensive prowess with seven tackles against Bournemouth. This performance was the highest of any player in the match, contributing significantly to Brighton's defensive efforts. Brighton's front four also delivered a stellar performance, further strengthening their position in the league.
Fulham's Ryan Sessegnon has been a patient performer despite a recent dip in form. Sessegnon remains a formidable presence on the field, contributing to Fulham's strategies with his consistent play. Georgino Rutter also shone for Fulham, dazzling in the pocket and forming an effective partnership with Joao Pedro.
"You have to keep him healthy," said Fulham manager Marco Silva. "He needs to be confident again, on the rhythm again, the intensity and the demands of the Premier League because the other things he has."
Aston Villa's recent struggles were highlighted by their defeat at Crystal Palace, where Adam Wharton made a standout return to the starting eleven. Under the watchful eye of England boss Thomas Tuchel, Wharton delivered an impressive performance despite Villa's overall poor showing.
Chelsea's recent resounding victory over Southampton offered a platform for some of Maresca's underperforming stars to rediscover their confidence. The team aims to build on this success as they prepare for upcoming challenges, including a favourable Champions League last-16 tie against Club Brugge next month.
Aston Villa have their sights set on this Champions League tie as an opportunity to turn their fortunes around. Despite their poor record on the road, they hope to capitalize on their current position and make a significant impact in the competition.
Fulham, however, face challenges of their own as they possess the sixth-worst away record in the division this season. They must find ways to improve their performances if they aim to climb higher in the league standings.
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