Riyad Mahrez didn’t have the best of games for Manchester City in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, but Pep Guardiola should give him another chance to prove himself when the Sky Blues host Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday.
The 31-year-old failed to register a shot on target, failed to whip in an accurate cross, failed to create a chance, failed to make a successful dribble and failed to turnover possession. But Mahrez had been in fine form before losing to Spurs, so he shouldn’t be dropped for one below-par showing.
The Algerian international has made 27 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring 10 goals with four assists. Mahrez had a slow start to the campaign with one goal and zero assists from his first 10 league outings, but he’s since scored three goals with three assists from his last six.
Mahrez has created five chances, had two successful dribbles, taken seven shots, won five free-kicks and whipped in three accurate crosses in his last three league games, so City don’t really have a more dangerous player to call upon. He deserves another chance and is sure to vindicate the decision.
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