Unai Emery, the head coach of Aston Villa, is likely feeling an overwhelming sense of frustration following Diego Carlos’ costly mistake during their recent EFL Cup match against Crystal Palace.
This lapse in concentration from the Brazilian defender has sparked memories of another critical error earlier in the season when he faced Wolverhampton Wanderers. Such mistakes are unacceptable, especially for a player of Carlos’ caliber, and they have significant implications for the team’s performance and aspirations.
Aston Villa’s Disappointment in the EFL Cup
On September 30, 2024, Aston Villa was eliminated from the EFL Cup after suffering a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at Villa Park. The match started off on a somewhat hopeful note when Eberechi Eze opened the scoring for Palace. However, just 15 minutes later, Villa responded with an equalizer from Jhon Duran, injecting some life into the game. The momentum seemed to shift in Villa’s favor, but it all fell apart when substitute Daichi Kamada netted the winning goal after Carlos’ errant pass handed Palace an opportunity they were quick to seize.
Despite the EFL Cup not being a top priority for Emery, the defeat stings. This loss marks a disappointing exit from a competition that offers teams a chance to gain silverware and momentum. The head coach is bound to be particularly vexed with Diego Carlos, who has now committed two significant errors leading directly to goals this season, demonstrating a troubling pattern that needs to be addressed.
A Familiar Pattern: Errors Against Crystal Palace and Wolves
In the match against Crystal Palace, Diego Carlos found himself in possession of the ball on the right side of the penalty area. It appeared he had an easy option available to him—passing the ball to Kosta Nedeljkovic on the touchline. Instead, the 31-year-old defender opted for a more complicated pass, attempting to send the ball into the middle of the pitch toward John McGinn. Under pressure from Japan international Kamada, this decision proved to be a grave mistake.
Carlos was under minimal pressure at the time, aside from the approaching Jean-Philippe Mateta, so there was no real justification for his decision to attempt a risky pass into the congested central area. This choice ultimately forced McGinn into a precarious position, stretching to receive the ball. With Kamada lurking, it was an unnecessarily dangerous move.
The Palace midfielder intercepted the pass, maneuvered past Boubacar Kamara, and struck the ball expertly into the far corner of the net, leaving Villa’s goalkeeper Joe Gauci with no chance of making a save. This moment undoubtedly felt like déjà vu for many Villa fans, as they had witnessed Carlos’ poor passing lead to another goal earlier in the season against Wolves.
In that earlier encounter, Carlos again found himself under little pressure but chose to force a pass into the middle of the pitch. This time, his attempt put Amadou Onana in a difficult situation against Matheus Cunha, who capitalized on the mistake and found the bottom corner with a well-placed shot. Such defensive lapses raise questions about how much longer Emery will tolerate these blunders from Carlos.
Analyzing Diego Carlos’ Performance
While the glaring error against Crystal Palace has overshadowed his overall performance, it is essential to evaluate Carlos’ contributions more holistically. The defender managed to maintain a commendable pass accuracy of 91%, completing 58 passes during his 73 touches, according to FotMob statistics. Despite this impressive figure, it is frustrating for Emery that one of those critical passes ultimately led to the loss of the match.
Defensively, Carlos had mixed results. He recorded a tackle completion rate of only 33%, although he did manage three clearances and two blocks throughout the game. Notably, he won a respectable 71% of his duels, which indicates that he was somewhat effective in one-on-one situations. However, given that Tyrone Mings was making his return from a long-term injury during this match, many would have expected Carlos to elevate his performance and assert himself as the more reliable defender of the two.
The Broader Implications for Aston Villa
The repercussions of this defeat extend beyond just the EFL Cup. Emery will undoubtedly be pulling his hair out over the frequency of simple mistakes made by his players, particularly when such errors result in goals for the opposition. This match marks Villa’s first defeat since August, and losing momentum at this stage of the season can be detrimental as they aim for a strong finish in both the Premier League and domestic competitions.
As Aston Villa moves forward, addressing the issues surrounding Diego Carlos will be paramount. The Brazilian has undeniable talent and has shown flashes of brilliance in his performances. However, he must eradicate the errors that have begun to define his season. Emery and his coaching staff will need to work closely with Carlos to instill the confidence and decision-making skills necessary for him to perform consistently at a high level.
A Call for Improvement
In summary, Unai Emery’s frustration with Diego Carlos is understandable given the defender’s costly mistakes that have led directly to goals this season. The defeat to Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of decision-making under pressure and the need for a cohesive defensive strategy. As Aston Villa navigates the remainder of the season, it will be vital for players like Carlos to learn from their errors and evolve as key contributors to the team’s success. If they can do so, Villa may yet find themselves in contention for silverware and in a stronger position in the league, reinforcing their status as a club with European aspirations.