The Premier League is currently on hiatus due to the November internationals.
Aston Villa have a lot to be proud of so far this season. After losing heavily to Newcastle on the opening weekend, they have recovered extremely well and are now one of the most in-form teams in the division. After 12 games, Unai Emery’s side sit fifth in the table with 25 points—just three points behind league leaders Manchester City.
The Villans have performed well in the Europa League Conference as well, collecting nine points from four games. With that being said, here are three things we have learned watching Aston Villa across the opening three months of the 2023/24 season.
#Ollie Watkins is the main man for Aston Villa
Only two players have been directly involved in more Premier League goals than Ollie Watkins in 2023 and their names are Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah. At 27, this is a player at the peak of his powers, his game now transformed under Unai Emery at Aston Villa.
Watkins has been so crucial to Villa’s fantastic season so far, just three points off top spot, having won every home game. The 27-year-old is such a vital cog in Emery’s system that he has not even been substituted in the Premier League since September despite his European exertions. In return, he has repaid the manager’s faith by either scoring or assisting in the majority of those league appearances.
The England international has bagged six goals and five assists in 12 league games, and going by his form and fitness, he is expected to play a vital role in Villa’s pursuit of Champions League football.
#Douglas Luiz exudes class
Douglas Luiz has been a key part of Aston Villa’s success as their stellar early-season form continues, with the midfielder contributing to five goals and an assist in 12 league appearances. He has also starred for Villa in the Europa Conference League.
Deployed at the base of midfield, usually in a double pivot next to Boubacar Kamara, Luiz has been class with his distribution skills, positional awareness, vision and ball-winning ability. Despite not possessing an intimidating frame, the Brazilian’s physical robustness is just one of the many traits that make him a valuable asset to Emery’s team.
Furthermore, the 25-year-old has become more of a goal threat. He registered six goals in the entirety of last season, in 12 appearances this term he has already bagged five. If Luiz continues his sizzling form from the start of the season, he’ll certainly not be short of suitors.
#Attacking quality
Emery has transformed his team from back to front. With the help of design, the chemistry between the players, attacking patterns, and of course, individual brilliance in some scenarios, Villa’s attackers have found it easy to score goals.
Villa are one of the few teams who are both good at manoeuvring their way patiently through a low block and excellent at blasting past the surging wall of a high press. Emery has drilled his team so well, with offensive players such as Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey, Moussa Diaby and Nicola Zaniolo thriving in this flexible system.
The Villans have shown their ability to break at speed in numbers and cause problems for the opposition. Watkins, Bailey and Diaby have contributed to 12 league goals, while Luiz and McGinn have chipped in five and two each. Truly, Emery has got a pacey, dynamic and confident front line that can outscore opponents on their day.