Rodri’s extraordinary Aston Villa record offers Barcelona encouragement before Champions League clash

Rodri’s extraordinary Aston Villa record offers Barcelona encouragement before Champions League clashBarcelona summer signing Rodri has a remarkable record against Aston Villa, having scored five goals in nine meetings with the Premier League side during his time at Manchester City. The midfielder will have another opportunity to extend that record when Aston Villa visit Spotify Camp Nou on Tuesday for their UEFA Champions League meeting with Hansi Flick’s side.Despite operating primarily as a holding midfielder, Rodri has consistently found ways to hurt Villa in front of goal. His five strikes against them make Aston Villa his most prolific opponent, an unusual achievement for a player whose responsibilities largely revolve around controlling possession, protecting the defence and distributing the ball.Rodri turns into a goalscoring threat against Aston VillaRodri’s record against Villa is not just about goals, as the midfielder has won eight of his nine encounters against the club, drawing the remaining match without suffering a defeat.Three of his five goals came through headers, which shows his effectiveness in attacking set-pieces. Notably, one of those efforts proved particularly important, as he scored in Manchester City’s 2-1 victory over Aston Villa in the League Cup final in March 2020.Furthermore, the Spaniard has also registered two assists across those meetings.Anthony Gordon has struggled against VillaRodri is not the only Barcelona summer arrival with previous experience against Aston Villa, as Anthony Gordon has also faced the Premier League side regularly while representing Everton and Newcastle United.Anthony Gordon has a disappointing record against Aston Villa. (Photo by Franco Arland/Getty Images)However, his record is considerably less impressive. Across 12 appearances against Villa, Gordon has managed just one goal and one assist, winning four matches while suffering six defeats and drawing twice.Aston Villa are his second most frequent opponent, behind Manchester City, whom he has faced 13 times. Despite that familiarity, the winger has struggled to produce consistent attacking contributions against them.