Our Premier League Team of the Week from the weekend’s action, featuring names from Aston Villa, Bournemouth and Fulham.
Goalkeeper: Mark Flekken – Brentford
Mark Flekken leads the Premier League for saves this season and bailed Brentford out when required this weekend. The Dutchman made big stops from Pedro Neto and Reece James, as the Bees held Chelsea in a West London derby.
⛔ Two big stops from Mark Flekken pic.twitter.com/MuzvVVhugi
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) April 6, 2025
Centre-back: Jarrad Branthwaite – Everton
Everton will do well to hang on to Jarrad Branthwaite this summer. The 22-year-old is getting back to his best in a blue shirt and was outstanding in the draw with Arsenal. Branthwaite’s best was on show with some crucial interceptions, including a goal-line clearance to deny Declan Rice and a sliding tackle on Leandro Trossard that got Goodison Park roaring.
Centre-back: Josko Gvardiol – Manchester City
At ease at Old Trafford in a dull derby contest. There were few positives about the goalless draw between the Manchester neighbours, but Gvardiol’s accomplished outing in central defence will please the Citizens. Signed as one of the best up-and-coming centre-backs in Europe, it’s perhaps overdue that he is being given a run in his favoured role.
Centre-back: Calvin Bassey – Fulham
A dominant defensive display from Calvin Bassey who came out on top in his duel with Mohamed Salah. The Nigerian’s strength and recovery speed helped combat Salah, as Bassey made five clearances, three tackles and won 6/8 defensive duels. He was monstrous in a huge win for Fulham, earning praise from Marco Silva.
“Calvin has all the skills to be a top central defender,” Silva said at full-time.
“He ticks all the boxes to be a top, top player. Now he has to be more consistent.”
Midfield: Youri Tielemans – Aston Villa
Aston Villa’s controller was at it again this weekend, with Tielemans taking apart Nottingham Forest for the opening goal. Give him time and space and you will be punished, as the Belgian proved when he lifted a beautiful ball into Morgan Rogers for the opener. After a mixed first season at Villa Park, Tielemans has been arguably Villa’s Player of the Season this time around. He’s been that good.
Midfield: Morgan Rogers – Aston Villa
Full of deft touches all game, as Aston Villa beat Nottingham Forest in a huge clash. Rogers set Ian Maatsen away early on with a fine flick, in an indication of the mood he was in. A lovely cushioned touch from Youri Tielemans’ pass then sent Rogers clear to score the opener. He came close to scoring again after half-time but was denied by Matz Sels. Rogers has been a real pleasure to watch this season.
The assist 😍 the touch 😍 the finish 😍 pic.twitter.com/ZbwT4IT9DD
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) April 5, 2025
Midfield: Eberechi Eze – Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace’s clash with Brighton was chaotic but amid the chaos was another cool-as-you-like performance from Eberechi Eze. Two assists continued a fine run of form for Eze, who wrapped a pass between the lines into Jean Philippe-Mateta for the opening goal. Eze often attracts traffic and did so again with another surging run, before rolling the ball into the onrushing Daniel Munoz to score. Once again, a difference-maker for Oliver Glasner.
Right-wing: Brennan Johnson – Tottenham
Make that 16 goals for the campaign for Brennan Johnson, who scored twice as Spurs beat Southampton in the capital. Johnson has had his critics in a Spurs shirt but continually aims to get into good goalscoring areas.
He arrived unmarked to slam in Djed Spence’s cross for the opener, before ghosting again into the area to steer a neat second past Aaron Ramsdale. The Welsh winger then won a stoppage-time penalty for Mathys Tel to convert and make the points safe.
Left-wing: Pablo Sarabia – Wolves
Turned the game around for Wolves from the bench and has, almost certainly, secured the club Premier League football for another season. Trailing at Ipswich, Sarabia snapped in an equaliser before turning provider for Jorgen Strand Larsen.
Out of contract in the summer, it could be the perfect goodbye gift.
An important goal from @Pablosarabia92 ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/J79ud4cevo
— Wolves (@Wolves) April 5, 2025
Forward: Jorgen Strand Larsen – Wolves
Has found his form at a crucial time. It’s four goals in three games for Strand Larsen, whose purple patch looks to have fired Wolves to safety. After a quiet opening, he burst into life to set up Pablo Sarabia’s equaliser at Ipswich with a lovely take and pick-out, before bundling in the winner as Sarabia returned the favour. He’s scored 11 league goals this season, a healthy return for a struggling side in his first Premier League campaign.
Forward: Evanilson – Bournemouth
Twice in the right place at the right time to take his return to 11 league goals for the campaign. After firing West Ham a warning with a first-half header, Evanilson reacted quickest to Alphonse Areola’s fumble to score the opener.
Another two goals for Evanilson 🔥🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/DvoGPCAx4A
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) April 5, 2025
Evanilson’s equaliser then earned the Cherries a point after West Ham had turned the game around. He ghosted in unmarked to meet Dean Huijsen’s header and rescue a result. The Brazilian has been a great addition.
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