The Analyst: Stats suggest corners galore in Manchester City vs Aston Villa

And this weekend, fans of corners (and Manchester City supporters should definitely be among them) would do well to cast their eyes over the Citizens' clash with Aston Villa. Pep Guardiola's side rank first in the league in terms of corners won this season, while Villa have climbed up to 6th.

Planet Sport crunches the numbers to reveal who are the Premier League corner kings and whose stats need to turn a corner.

Arsenal

Average corners per game: 4.76 (10th)

Matches with over 5.5 team corners: 5/13 (38%)

Highest corner count this season: 9 (vs Chelsea)

Aston Villa

Average corners per game: 5.23 (6th)

Matches with over 5.5 team corners: 4/13 (30%)

Matches with over 9.5 total corners: 8/13 (61%)

Villa had a fine season last year and were one of the league leaders in terms of how consistently they amassed corner kicks.

If you thought that was down to Jack Grealish, you should think again. His £100million move to Manchester City has not affected Aston Villa in regards to corners at all.

It is too early to tell whether or not they keep up their corner-winning under new boss Steven Gerrard, but their stats certainly make them an enticing option in the corner market.

Brentford

Average corners per game: 3.61 (20th)

Brentford have impressed many with the style of their play since being promoted to the Premier League.

But, while trying to play through the opposition as a newly-promoted team may win you fans and plaudits, it obviously doesn't win you many corners.

Brighton

Average corners per game: 5.15 (9th)

Matches with over 5.5 team corners: 6/13 (46%)

Matches with over 9.5 total corners: 7/13 (54%)

Highest corner count this season: 8 (vs Arsenal)

Brighton have been one of the Premier League's surprise packages this season, although intriguingly the amount of corners they win per match is actually a little down on last season.

One likely explanation for that is they are spending more time leading rather than chasing games, so while the Seagulls may find themselves further down the league table ranked on corners, we don't think they'll care too much.

Burnley

Average corners per game: 4.58 (16th)

Matches with over 5.5 team corners: 4/12 (33%)

Matches with over 9.5 total corners: 8/12 (66%)

Highest corner count this season: 9 (vs Norwich)

Out of all the Premier League managers, we imagine Sean Dyche is up there in terms of those that care about how many corners their team is winning.

However, he may not be too pleased to see the results. The Clarets have struggled for corners as much as they have for points this season.

Chelsea

Average corners per game: 6.76 (3rd)

Thomas Tuchel's side are well and truly in a title race, and they're also competing in the league table of corners taken.

Perhaps it's not surprising given that Chelsea will mostly be on the attack during their games, but it also credits the amount of shots the Blues take against their opposition.

Crystal Palace

Average corners per game: 4.00 (18th)

Matches with over 5.5 team corners: 4/13 (30%)

Matches with over 9.5 total corners: 6/13 (46%)

Highest corner count this season: 8 (vs Tottenham)

Given the explosive attacking talent that Crystal Palace have at their disposal, it's perhaps surprising to see them with such a low corner count.

But it also perhaps compliments their silky style of play under Patrick Vieira, who has made the Eagles more controlled and concise since taking over in the summer.

Everton

Average corners per game: 4.00 (19th)

Rafa Benitez is another manager who likes his wingers to cut inside, with both Andros Townsend and Demarai Gray much more likely to shoot than cross.

That has obvious upsides, but it comes at a cost too. A low corner count is always going to be one of them so it's probably something Everton fans should get used to.

Leeds United

Average corners per game: 4.69 (12th)

Matches with over 5.5 team corners: 5/13 (38%)

Matches with over 9.5 total corners: 6/13 (46%)

Given Leeds United's gung-ho style, it may be surprising to see them so far down in terms of corners per game, but in truth the West Yorkshire side have struggled to replicate their success from last season.

Only Liverpool and Manchester City won more corners than them last term, so their drop in numbers shows just how much they are suffering from second-season syndrome.

Leicester City

Average corners per game: 5.23 (7th)

Leicester have suffered a poor start to the season and have had some uncharacteristic struggles with consistency.

But as they try to climb their way up the standings, they can at least take pride in the fact that their average corner count is fairly similar to their numbers from last season.

Liverpool

Average corners per game: 7.38 (2nd)

Matches with over 5.5 team corners: 8/13 (61%)

Matches with over 9.5 total corners: 8/13 (61%)

Highest corner count this season: 12 (vs Chelsea)

After being crowned the corner kings in 2020/21, Liverpool have dropped off a touch this season, and are currently trailing in corners taken to Manchester City.

Manchester City

Average corners per game: 8.23 (1st)

Manchester City dominate games, and they currently find themselves dominating the amount of corners taken in the league too.

Despite lacking a striker, Pep Guardiola's side has made do this season and have continued to control games even against strong opposition. It's clearly a tactic that has seen them strike plenty of shots, as well as win plenty of corners.

Manchester United

Average corners per game: 5.23 (8th)

After struggling under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, United's awful performances at the start of the season have meant they have controlled far fewer games than they'd like, but they still sit in the top half of Premier League sides when it comes to corners won.

Now the Norwegian boss has departed and the Red Devils look to settle under Ralf Rangnick, their average could rise alongside their performances.

Newcastle United

Average corners per game: 4.46 (14th)

Matches with over 5.5 team corners: 4/13 (30%)

Matches with over 9.5 total corners: 6/13 (46%)

Newcastle United have suffered a torrid start to the season, yet the mood surrounding the team has shifted since their Saudi takeover.

They currently sit last in the Premier League, but not in terms of corners taken, and surely their number will only increase with Eddie Howe's attacking style now coming into play.

Norwich City

Average corners per game: 4.15 (17th)

Matches with over 5.5 team corners: 2/13 (15%)

Matches with over 9.5 total corners: 8/13 (61%)

Highest corner count this season: 9 (vs Leicester)

Norwich's corner record certainly isn't brilliant, but they don't sit bottom, and that in itself might be quite a surprise.

As they look to perform a miracle and escape the drop with Dean Smith, they may see an even further increase to that average yet.

Southampton

Average corners per game: 6.30 (4th)

Matches with over 5.5 team corners: 8/13 (61%)

Matches with over 9.5 total corners: 8/13 (61%)

Highest corner count this season: 10 (vs Aston Villa)

Despite sitting middle of the table in the actual Premier League, Southampton are flying in terms of corners taken, and are averaging far more than they did last season.

Ralph Hasenhuttl has always encouraged his side to get forward, and clearly they're getting plenty of crosses and shots in.

Tottenham Hotspur

Average corners per game: 5.16 (11th)

Tottenham have actually upped their average corner count from last season, which is perhaps to be expected given that the counter-attacking Jose Mourinho has moved on to Roma.

With Antonio Conte now in charge, Spurs could find themselves controlling games and creating even more chances, whether or not that results in more corners per game is yet to be seen.

Watford

Average corners per game: 4.30 (15th)

Watford may still be celebrating their 4-1 drubbing against Manchester United, but there's far less to celebrate when it comes to corners won.

With Claudio Ranieri now looking to fully implement his style at Vicarage Road, getting his side into the box and attacking more will be high on his priority list.

West Ham United

Average corners per game: 5.46 (5th)

David Moyes has built a well-organised and physical team in east London, and they've benefited plenty of times from set pieces.

Therefore, it's not too much of a surprise that they win a lot of corners, especially given their superb performances this season.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Average corners per game: 4.69 (13th)

Matches with over 5.5 team corners: 4/13 (30%)

Matches with over 9.5 total corners: 6/13 (46%)

Highest corner count this season: 8 (vs Watford)

After a rocky start to his time at Wolves, Bruno Lage is now starting to find some success. Not in corners, though, they've managed a far worse average than last season under Nuno Espirito Santo.

READ MORE: The Analyst: Newcastle should pick up points under Howe but for bookings rather than wins