December 2020 has seen a packed schedule of football across Europe, and while some clubs wind down for the winter break, other leagues are ploughing on and continuing with the almost daily outings. Over this Christmas period, some players have shown no signs of fatigue, and instead have been playing in the form of their lives.

One of these players who has been having a blinder this month, is the 4th recipient of the NextGoalWinner player of the month across Europe, the Celta Vigo striker Iago Aspas. In the 5 games played over the month, his performances allowed his side to go unbeaten in their league games, as he contributed 4 goals and 4 assists, which out of their 11 goals meant he was involved in 72% of his sides goals as they went on their unbeaten run. This 8 goal contributions add to his already solid 5 goals and 2 assists in previous months.

With an average rating of 8.02/10 and receiving 2 player of the match awards, Aspas has truly dominated this month and his performances have led his side to great success. Beating the likes of Messi, Lewandowski and Bruno Fernandes, Aspas can proudly claim the award heading into the new year. Here’s why…

Match By Match

December 4th: Athletic Bilbao 0-2 Celta Vigo – In the months opener, Aspas bagged his first goal of the month in a solid victory over Bilbao. In his 87 minutes on the pitch, he was fairly on form, and although only having 1 shot in the game, he made it count with the games 2nd goal which sealed the 3 points. Additionally, he made 2 key passes which earnt him a respectable 7.67/10 to start the month strongly.

December 14th: Celta Vigo 4-0 Cadiz – After bagging his 1st of the month in the previous fixture, the game against Cadiz was Aspas’ finest this month, as he claimed player of the match and a 9.77/10 after he managed to grab a goal and 2 assists as he put on a show against the South Western side. He was certainly on form in this game as he tucked away a penalty, laid on 2 assists and hit the woodwork on another occasion as Celta Vigo looked strong in their second game of the month.

December 20th: Celta Vigo 2-0 Deportivo Alaves – In their third successive victory in the month, Aspas was again involved in the goals, as he provided an assist for the 2nd goal which secured the win against Alaves. Although it was a fairly quiet performance from Aspas in this one compared to the previous fixture, his influence and contributions secured another 3 points, and kept the unbeaten run going.

December 23rd: Getafe 1-1 Celta Vigo – In the first and only occasion of Celta Vigo dropping points this month, they played out a 1-1 draw against Getafe, in which Aspas came to the rescue from the penalty spot, after Getafe had taken a lead in the opening few minutes. Once again Aspas was a key man in the game and although it is 2 points dropped, it’s another unbeaten game on this fantastic run the side have gone on.

December 30th: Celta Vigo 2-1 SD Huesca – In the final fixture of the month for Celta Vigo and Aspas, they secured an unbeaten run of games and saw in the new year with Aspas again being the star man on the pitch. In this game, he earned the player of the match award with a 8.05/10 rating after he was involved in both goals for his side, assisting the opener in the first half and bagging the second just after the hour. This 2-0 lead was threatened when Huesca pulled one back in the 84th minute, however it wasn’t to be and Aspas helped his side take another 3 points and secure an unbeaten run which extended to 6 games including the November win over Granada.