---
title: "Fans say ‘class’ El Ghazi ‘deserves to start’ v Sheff Utd"
canonical: "https://readastonvilla.com/2021/03/01/aston-villa-anwar-el-ghazi-leeds-united/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Crippy Cooke"
section: "Aston Villa News"
published: "2021-03-01T11:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-03-01T11:00:00Z"
---

# Fans say ‘class’ El Ghazi ‘deserves to start’ v Sheff Utd

[Aston Villa enjoyed a 1-0 win over Leeds United](https://www.avfc.co.uk/news/2021/february/Leeds-United-0-1-Aston-Villa/) on Saturday evening and Anwar El Ghazi was one of many players who impressed. The 25-year-old was handed his first consecutive Premier League start since New Year’s Day and bagged the winning goal to vindicate Dean Smith’s faith in him, controlling Ollie Watkins’ mishit shot to finish past Ilhan Meslier from close range.

No Villa player had as many shots on target, created as many chances, whipped in as many accurate crosses and had more successful dribbles as El Ghazi at Elland Road, leading to praise from supporters on social media who want him to start against Sheffield United on Wednesday.

> That’s a great result considering they done us over at VP earlier in the season. Nakamba didn’t put a foot wrong, El Ghazi deserves to start more often and we all going to give Elmo some credit for today’s solid showing after everyone slated him last week ? [#AVFC](https://twitter.com/hashtag/AVFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)
>
> — ClaretBlueAVFC (@ClaretBlueAVFC) [February 27, 2021](https://twitter.com/ClaretBlueAVFC/status/1365744595057971200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/RatingsPower/status/1365776658112929792?s=20

> My take:\
> Mings, Konsa and Targett – Rock solid, again\
> Ramsey's best ever prem game\
> Nakamba – should continue to start\
> El Ghazi – Fantastic 1st half\
> Sanson – Should start next game. You can just see it. In every situation. Quality!\
> Watkins -Does his thing again! And again![#avfc](https://twitter.com/hashtag/avfc?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)🦁 [pic.twitter.com/f01YHTr1QP](https://t.co/f01YHTr1QP)
>
> — Ｅｓｐｅｎ🦁 (@espenstrand) [February 27, 2021](https://twitter.com/espenstrand/status/1365771783757049856?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> It was an excellent performance. Nakamba, Ramsey, El Ghazi and Emi had great games. Nakamba is good at protecting the back 4 and Ramsey looks quality, he’s a local lad as well from our academy. 👍🏻
>
> — Gary Cos 67 🦁🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿💜💙 (@B31villa) [February 28, 2021](https://twitter.com/B31villa/status/1365996328002719747?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Fantastic win!\
> El Ghazi absolutely amazing 🤩\
> What a performance from the MARVELOUS one 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻\
> UTV 🦁
>
> — ☆☆🦇Matty🦁☆☆ (@2ndCitySaint90) [February 27, 2021](https://twitter.com/2ndCitySaint90/status/1365744436525871105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

https://twitter.com/MrNicoMole/status/1365745318692847624?s=20

> El Ghazi 1st Class\
> Nakamba 1st Class MOTM\
> Mings 1st Class\
> Konsa 1st Class\
> Watkins immense [#utv](https://twitter.com/hashtag/utv?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)🦁
>
> — 𝐎𝐠𝐞𝐞𝐃𝐣 🎧🔈⚽️🦁🇯🇲 (@OgeeDj68) [February 27, 2021](https://twitter.com/OgeeDj68/status/1365747512108339209?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Honestly think El Ghazi has all the attributes to be a top class player, just needs coaching and confidence massaging. Trez is more limited and does rely more on work rate. Happy if we look for an upgrade but both have done a lot for us
>
> — Lee Darby (@leejohndarby) [February 28, 2021](https://twitter.com/leejohndarby/status/1365824156307247105?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> El Ghazi deserves respect, helped get us here. Looks well again with confidence high and playing from the left.
>
> — Tom Ellis (@EllTomVilla) [March 1, 2021](https://twitter.com/EllTomVilla/status/1366296942008037381?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Fantastic effort and commitment from Anwar in this game! He just needs to improve on consistency… The team gets much more from him than from Barkley when he is in such a form
>
> — Berdan (@Berdan08914685) [February 28, 2021](https://twitter.com/Berdan08914685/status/1366057029190696966?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

> Brilliant non-stop MOTM performance from Anwar UTV
>
> — Steve O (@YcsSteve) [February 28, 2021](https://twitter.com/YcsSteve/status/1365825505057009672?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

Against Leeds, the Netherlands international played for 90 minutes, had 44 touches, won two aerial duels, completed 68.4% of his 19 passes, whipped in six crosses with 66.66% finding a teammate, made one tackle, had two successful dribbles, had five shots with 60% hitting the target and created three chances ([WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1485346/LiveStatistics/England-Premier-League-2020-2021-Leeds-Aston-Villa)).

El Ghazi has made 18 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring seven goals ([Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/anwar-el-ghazi/leistungsdaten/spieler/183720)). Only Ollie Watkins has bagged more goals (10) in the Premier League than the 25-year-old (6), so Dean Smith is right to give El Ghazi more starts in Jack Grealish’s absence as he’s proven himself to be prolific in the top-flight.

**READ ASTON VILLA VERDICT**

El Ghazi does struggle with consistency and can put in woeful performances on occasion, but he’s one of Villa’s best option for goals and took his chance to impress on Saturday. He should keep his place against Sheffield United on Wednesday.