Many Aston Villa fans have been reacting on social media to a photo of Wesley Moraes in training ahead of facing Manchester City on Saturday.
Wesley failed to score in his last Premier League outing when he spurned two chances to ripple the net against Brighton & Hove Albion (WhoScored), with one shot blocked by a Seagulls defender and the other sailing wide of the post.
The Brazilian, signed in the summer for a club-record £22million (Independent), also pulled up with cramp in the closing stages of the Seagulls affair, when he tried to break free of the pressure from Adam Webster and Lewis Dunk (Birmingham Mail).
VAR had got the better of Wesley last week, as well, when he was adjudged to have fouled Brighton ‘keeper Mat Ryan in the build-up to Conor Hourihane firing home in the first-half.
Villa managed to rally on to win 2-1, and will be hoping to see Wesley on the scoresheet this weekend when they travel to Manchester City.
Wesley has struck four goals in the Premier League so far this season, with a brace against Norwich City in a Man of the Match display following efforts against Arsenal and Everton (WhoScored).
Plenty of Villa fans seem to think Wesley will be capable of adding to his tally against the Sky Blues on Saturday, as many have commented such on a recent post by the official Aston Villa account on Twitter sharing a photo of the 22-year-old in training.
Here are some of the messages shared…
Do I tear Man City’s back like to pieces or do I leave them with some dignity to go back to their family’s with ?
— Bradley (@Bradley__69) October 25, 2019
I can play sitting down and Man City’s defence still won’t be able to stop me.
— Adam Dyhouse? (@a_dyhouse) October 24, 2019
Trying to calculate how many goals he will score against Man city, Wolves & Liverpool.
— Villa life (@stephenpage8) October 24, 2019
Can’t wait to score the winner against city ?
— Scotty wilson (@scottwilson777) October 24, 2019
After scoring a hatrick in a villa win against Man City Wesley be holding the match ball like ???
— Ben Abercrombie (@BenAbercrombie8) October 25, 2019
Not all of the Villa Park faithful expect great things from Wesley at the Etihad Stadium this weekend, though, as many also shared messages along the lines of ‘no wonder he doesn’t score many’.
The former Club Brugge forward has attempted 19 shots since arriving in the Premier League, but has only converted four of the 12 efforts directed on target.
Midfielder John McGinn and winger Anwar El Ghazi have both attempted more shots than Wesley, as well, with the former striking 30 in his nine appearances and the latter hitting 20 in eight games (WhoScored).
Wesley’s shots per ninety minute rate of 2.2 also is only strong enough to rank sixth among Dean Smith’s squad in Birmingham, with Hourihane, Trezeguet and Keinan Davis all attempting more.
No wonder he don’t score many don’t do much training up the villa
— martin hamilton (@martim_hamilton) October 25, 2019
now that’s why he don’t score he just sits there i get it now
— Alfie (@Alfie09893384) October 24, 2019
See Wesley that is a goal post!!!!
— Steven Bradbury (@StevenB56432306) October 25, 2019
“Wes, if they get a corner I want you on the near post”
— Foxy ? (@FoxyN77) October 24, 2019
McGinn and Marvelous Nakamba’s starts to the season have also been mentioned by Villa fans in response to their club’s post focusing on Wesley in training.
Some have praised McGinn for his start to the campaign for his tireless work rate, while others have lauded Nakamba as being someone capable of doing wonders when on the ball.
McGinn has completed (24) and attempted (32) the most dribbles in the Villa squad, along with recording the most tackles (26) and playing the second-most key balls (14) to Jack Grealish (25).
Nakamba, meanwhile, has made the second-most tackles (18) and joint-most blocked passes with McGinn (11).
Admiring John Mcginn 4 hours into the bleep test whilst not even breaking a sweat.
— AstonViIIaFan (@AstonViIIaFan) October 24, 2019
Guy was watching Nakamba doing his thing with the ball.
— Caps United FC (@capsunitedfczw) October 25, 2019
How is @jmcginn7 still running??
— Ross Buet ? (@rossbuet) October 24, 2019