The Messi and Aston Villa stats that will have England and World Cup rivals worried

The stats show that Argentina may be the team to beat - and they'll have to stop Lionel Messi and beat an Aston Villa star to do it.

Lionel Scaloni's side are currently on a 31-game unbeaten run, which is Argentina's best streak in 30 years.

Not only that, but they are also the current holders of the Copa America, having beaten a star-studded Brazil side 1-0 in July 2021.

Angel Di Maria scored the winning goal, as he lined up alongside the Messi, Cristian Romero, Leandro Paredes, and Lautaro Martinez.

Despite all of those big games, Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is one of their key players.

The former Arsenal man has NEVER lost a game for Argentina, keeping 11 clean sheets in 16 games for his country. What an incredible record.

And the final stat (and probably craziest of the lot) is that Argentina haven't lost when Messi has scored since 2009.

So it might be a good idea to keep a close eye on him if you end up facing them at the World Cup - but that's easier said than done!

England won't face Argentina in the group stage - which is drawn on Friday - but could meet them in the knockout stage, if both nations get there.

And it's safe to say that manager Gareth Southgate and co will definitely be hoping to avoid Messi and his South American buddies in Qatar.

Tune in here for the World Cup draw on talkSPORT from 5pm.