Unai Emery and the Villa resurgence
Whisper it, but it looks as though Aston Villa are back to their best. Following a woeful start to the Premier League campaign – zero wins and just one goal scored in their opening five matches – Villa have clicked into gear.
After the first five games of the league campaign, it looked as though the club were beginning to pay the consequences for a poor transfer window.
Indeed, only two players were signed for any kind of fee – Evann Guessand and Marco Bizot – while loan moves were made for Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott.
So, how has Unai Emery turned their fortunes around in recent months? Let’s take a look at the Villa resurgence.
Comeback win over Brighton proves Villa have the mettle for a top four spot
Emery took Villa to the Amex on Wednesday evening and quickly saw his side concede twice in the first 30 minutes to trail 2-0.
A quick-fire double by Ollie Watkins saw the teams head into the interval all square before second half goals from Amadou Onana and Donyell Malen saw Villa secure all three points in the end.
It was just their third away victory in the Premier League this season, but it showed just how effective the club have been in recent months.
The win came despite having just 44% possession on the night, yet they did register six big chances, scoring with four of them.
This season, Villa have registered 11.6 shots per game while scoring 1.4 goals per match in the top flight. Furthermore, the club rank seventh in the Premier League for ball possession, averaging 52.9% per game.
Emery clearly has Villa on a roll right now and one key factor to this is their impressive home form.
Villa Park has turned into a fortress
Following Villa’s 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace at home back in August, the club have remained unbeaten at Villa Park.
During that period, they have beaten Fulham, Burnley, Manchester City, Bournemouth and Wolves domestically, while winning all three of their Europa League matches played in the Midlands.
Last season, the club won 11 of their 19 home games in the league. The season before, 12 wins from 19 at home.
Indeed, over the course of the previous two seasons, Villa have lost just four Premier League ties at Villa Park.
Turning the ground into a fortress has arguably been Emery’s biggest success since taking over in October 2022.
Watkins has been vital to the club since then. Despite a poor start to the campaign, might his two goals against Brighton rejuvenate him heading into the frantic festive spell?
Ollie Watkins looked back to his best against Brighton
Under Emery, Watkins has scored 61 goals in 153 appearances. 27 of those came during 2023/24, while he netted 17 in all competitions last term.
Until visiting the Amex, however, Watkins had scored just once all season – in a 3-1 victory against Fulham – but Emery was rewarded with two fine finishes that saw the striker take his tally to three for the campaign.
“It’s the best feeling to score a goal and that’s my job,” Watkins said after the match.
“It’s been a while without that feeling. It’s been a tricky period in my career.
“I’ve not had this since the manager came in but I kept working hard and you get your rewards.”
Despite his lack of proficiency in front of goal, Watkins is contributing in other areas. When compared to his peers in the Premier League, the Englishman ranks in the top 10% for chances created this season (10), along with ranking in the top 7% for touches in the opposition box (59) and for fouls won (17).
His goal output may have dropped off, but by linking up well with others in and around the penalty area, Villa might actually be better off in the long run.
Players such as Malen and John McGinn have thrived recently in the final third, it is Morgan Rogers who has transformed into the attacking fulcrum Villa require over the previous 18 months.
Morgan Rogers has emerged as one of Villa’s key players
Rogers was at his zenith last season. Although primarily used as an attacking midfielder, the Englishman was occasionally utilised on the flanks to great effect.
Overall, he registered 30 goal contributions – 14 goals and 16 assists – across 54 appearances for Villa. It was a wonderful campaign, no doubt about that.
This season, he may have recorded only eight goal contributions in all competitions, but the former Middlesbrough starlet has shone in other ways, particularly in Europe.
Rogers ranks in the top 2% for touches in the opposition box (30), the top 12% for dribble success rate (71.4%) and in the top 8% for chances created (10) in Europe’s secondary club competition this season.
If he can start translating these sorts of stats from Europe into the Premier League, Villa could really begin to think of challenging for a Champions League spot.
This weekend, Arsenal are the visitors to Villa Park in the Premier League. The Gunners are five points clear at the top of the table and it looks as though this year could finally spell the end of a 22-year wait for a domestic title.
Villa have won two of the previous four fixtures between the two sides heading into this top of the table clash, however, which should give them confidence.
Should Emery lead his team to another three points, the supporters will surely begin to dream of hearing the Champions League anthem at Villa Park once again.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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