‘Be his worst nightmare’ – Keown tells Villa defenders how to stop Haaland

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown has revealed how to defend against Erling Haaland, after the Norwegian’s prolific start to the season.

Haaland’s blistering start for Manchester City has seen the 22-year-old hot shot net an astonishing nine goals in five Premier League games, including back-to-back hat-tricks in the past week.

Another of Keown’s former clubs, Aston Villa, are up next for Haaland and the legendary defender gave his insight into how to approach a head to head with the striker.

“I think what you have to do is be very aggressive when you play against this man,” Keown told talkSPORT.

“You look at his skillset and he’s a giant, he’s obviously got a great leap. His hunger though, he’s got a burning ambition to score goals and he’s never satisfied. He’s dreaming about goals the whole time so you’ve got to be able to match that.

“You know of course it’s very difficult now because he’s getting that supply, they’re coming at you from all angles.

Aston Villa have made a stuttering start to the season with four defeats from their five games played. Steven Gerrard’s men have shipped nine goals in total with just two conceded at Villa Park ahead of City’s visit on Saturday.

Keown knows his former side need to remain compact against the threat of Haaland and gave some words of advice for Villa’s central defensive pairing.

“I think as a central defender at the weekend, if you’re [Tyrone] Mings or [Ezri] Konsa, you’ve got to do things early. Against this man Haaland you’ve got to be early, you’ve got to win the ball.

“You have to be careful when somebody is rapid, you have to be careful where he’s taking you, he will take you into areas where he will attack the back of you.”

He continued: “That first connection, you’ve got to be their worst nightmare, they can’t go away thinking they’ve enjoyed playing against you.

“In those early exchanges you have to pick up what you can from this player.

“Am I quicker than him? Can I deal with that? Can I pinch it? Can I disrupt him? Can I move him out?

“I don’t think you can be nervous, you’ve got to be confident, you’ve got to commit.”

Good luck lads…