A kind early schedule for Aston Villa gives Ian Maatsen the chance to make an early impact on 2024/25 Fantasy Premier League.
The versatile Dutchman was a key figure for Borussia Dortmund while on loan from Chelsea in the second half of last season.
Playing as a left-back for the German side, he scored twice and supplied two assists in his 15 Bundesliga starts. The 22-year-old also helped Dortmund reach the UEFA Champions League final, scoring once in seven outings in the tournament.
Maatsen’s style of play looks tailor-made for the tactics of Villa head coach Unai Emery.
Emery likes his left-back to occupy advanced areas when Villa are in possession, allowing the right-back to move centrally and form a back three alongside the two centre-backs.
Although Emery signed left-back Alex Moreno in January 2023, he has struggled with injury and made only 11 starts last season, which allowed Lucas Digne to start the other 27 matches.
But with Digne less-suited to Emery’s set-up, Maatsen is now expected to secure a regular role in Villa's XI this season.
The new arrival’s appeal has certainly been boosted by a favourable opening run of opponents.
According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), five of Villa's first six matches score only two. They will visit West Ham United and promoted pair Leicester City and Ipswich Town, as well as entertaining Everton and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Villa's first six matches
| GW | Opponent | FDR |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Ham (A) | 2 |
| 2 | Arsenal (H) | 5 |
| 3 | Leicester (A) | 2 |
| 4 | Everton (H) | 2 |
| 5 | Wolves (H) | 2 |
| 6 | Ipswich (A) | 2 |
Indeed, Villa will face only one of last season’s top seven teams across their opening nine fixtures, with that match coming when they host Arsenal in Gameweek 2.
Granted, their total of eight clean sheets in 2023/24 suggests Emery’s side have plenty of room for improvement in defence.
But if Villa can become more resilient, Maatsen’s potential for goals and assists could help him take full advantage of that favourable early schedule.
