Victor Lindelof's recent international performance has raised fresh questions about his form for Aston Villa. The defender played the full 90 minutes in Sweden's 2-1 Nations League win over Romania but produced concerning defensive statistics.

He won none of his ground duels and misplaced 11 passes, including four long balls. Swedish outlet Fotbollskanalen gave him a rating of just two out of five, noting his involvement in the conceded goal. "The captain checked himself away at the 1-1 goal when Dennis Man lifted the ball over him," they said.

Concerns at club level

These issues follow a difficult start to the domestic season for the centre-back. While he has started all five of Aston Villa's Premier League games, his underlying numbers are worrying. He has the second-lowest average FotMob rating among the club's centre-backs at 5.96 and concedes an average of 1.84 expected goals per 90 minutes while on the pitch. This comes as Aston Villa sit 16th in the Premier League with four points from their opening five matches, a position that puts defensive solidity under the microscope. Statistical analysis from the source shows Lindelof has won only 50% of his total duels in the Premier League this season and has a passing accuracy of 84%, which drops to 57% for long passes.

Defensive competition grows

Lindelof's place is under pressure from returning and developing options within the squad. Tyrone Mings has maintained his form, Taylor Harwood-Bellis is getting up to speed in training at Bodymoor Heath, and Pau Torres is nearing a return from injury. This increased competition comes at a critical time, with Villa's next test a home fixture against high-flying Brentford, who are currently fourth, on 10 October. The source notes that manager Unai Emery has previously rotated his centre-back pairings based on form and tactical requirements.

The team will look to build on a recent 3-2 win over Tottenham, but defensive improvements will be key. Fans can check the upcoming fixtures as Emery's side aims to climb the table. The upcoming schedule after the Brentford match includes a trip to face West Ham United and a home game against Chelsea, presenting a significant test for Villa's back line.

This story first appeared at sports.yahoo.com