Aston Villa will need to contain one of the Premier League’s most creative players when Nottingham Forest visit Villa Park on Saturday.
James McAtee has emerged as an important figure under Oliver Glasner despite Forest’s winless start to the season.
The former Manchester City midfielder is yet to register a Premier League goal or assist this term, but his underlying numbers suggest that could soon change.
Only one player has created more chances from open play.
James McAtee poses major threat to Aston Villa
According to Opta data published by CBS Sports, McAtee has created eight chances from open play across Forest’s opening three league matches.
Only former Aston Villa midfielder Morgan Rogers has produced more, with nine.
McAtee’s influence was particularly clear in Forest’s goalless draw against Tottenham.
He created five chances in that game, which was the joint-most by any Premier League player in a single match this season.
Those numbers give Unai Emery another issue to solve at Villa Park.
We have already examined how Nottingham Forest’s 3-4-2-1 system could test Aston Villa, with Glasner using two attacking midfielders behind his centre-forward.
McAtee’s ability to find space between midfield and defence makes him particularly dangerous within that structure.
Aston Villa cannot focus only on Liam Delap
Much of Villa’s defensive attention will naturally fall on Forest’s centre-forward.
Our analysis of the Liam Delap threat facing Aston Villa highlighted the physical challenge he can pose centre-backs.
But stopping Forest’s striker will only solve part of the problem.
McAtee has shown he can be the player supplying those attacking opportunities.
That becomes even more relevant with João Gomes unavailable through suspension.
The latest Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest team news outlines Emery’s remaining midfield and defensive decisions before kick-off.
Villa at least have history on their side.
They have won each of their last six Premier League home meetings with Forest, with our Aston Villa vs Nottingham Forest H2H guide detailing their strong Villa Park record.
Forest have also failed to win any of their opening three league games.
But their results do not tell the whole story.
McAtee’s chance-creation numbers show Forest possess a player capable of opening up Villa if Emery’s side allow him space around the penalty area.
Stopping that supply line could be just as important as dealing with the striker waiting at the end of it.
