The Villans winger scored a superb goal against West Bromwich Albion in December. Here is what his teammate thought of it.
James Chester has risked enraging his Aston Villa colleague Anwar El Ghazi by claiming that his stunning goal against West Bromwich Albion was “shanked”.
The Villans took on one of their West Midlands rivals in the Championship on December 7 and it turned out to be an enthralling 2-2 draw at The Hawthorns.
Villa had taken the lead on 12 minutes through the Lille loanee’s deflected opener, which was later credited as an Ahmed Hegazi own goal.
Dwight Gayle’s close-range finish drew Albion level just before the half-hour mark but El Ghazi rifled Villa back into the lead with a ferocious swerving strike.
Although West Brom ended up equalising once again, this time through a controversial late goal, the Netherlands winger’s goal received widespread praise among the fanbase.
However, when asked by the Villa website about which of three goals – El Ghazi against WBA, John McGinn against Sheffield Wednesday or Alan Hutton against Birmingham – was his favourite, Chester’s reply may well have drawn some gasps.
“I am controversially going to say that I think Anwar shanked his,” Chester told Villa’s weekly One on One feature. “Technically, John’s goal is the best I’ve had the pleasure of seeing live. I was right behind it so I saw the curve perfectly. It was magnificent.
“But, for the moment it came in the game and who it was against and the fact it was in front of the Holte End, I’ve got to go for Hutts. That’s one I’d have liked to score myself so that’s why I’m going for it.”
Few will complain over Chester’s choice of favourite goal this term, but to say El Ghazi shanked his effort – that could well cause a stir in the dressing room.
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