Five Reasons to be Cheerful as Villans – October International Break
As with any rocket launch, the initial moments are slow and difficult to watch. This season’s Aston Villa has been much the same – rooted to the ground during the opening phase before tentatively finding momentum and gradually gaining altitude. After four wins on the bounce and seven matches unbeaten in 90 minutes, here are this week’s Five Reasons to Be Cheerful:
And The Beat Goes On
The tide has very much turned. Four straight wins in all competitions have seen Villa look more composed defensively while finally creating consistent openings in the final third. After that sluggish start, it was vital to head into the international break in form, especially with the next three games coming against Champions League opposition in Spurs, Manchester City, and Liverpool.
Malen D’or
Some call him Donyell, some ‘The Don’, others simply “The GOAT”, but whatever the name, the man knows how to find the net. His time at Villa has been largely frustrating with the exclusion from the Champions League squad last season and even after scoring three goals in three league games last season, he was rewarded with a place on the bench.
Now with a brace against Burnley followed up with a cracker for the Dutch in their 4-0 win over Finland, Malen surely should be looking forward to a run of games in his favoured supporting striker role to take the pressure off Ollie Watkins and allow the Dutchman a chance to shine.
In Sight
It’s almost safe to look at the league table once again. Despite the poor start to the season, the team now sits three points from sixth place. That’s more like it, but lets judge the table more after ten games have passed.
BeckenPauer
Villa’s upturn in form is undeniably linked to the passing precision of Pau Torres. Despite the occasional defensive lapse (although he was first rate against Feyenoord), his arrival was instrumental in Villa’s surge into the Champions League. With Youri Tielemans sidelined for the next few weeks, Torres’s ability to get the team moving up the pitch is even more crucial. You have to say, at this moment in time, Torres in full flow is instrumental to the identity of Emery’s team.
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EuropaVision
Two wins from two and against sides that were in the Champions League last season has set Villa up nicely in this season’s Europa League. As with last season’s format, finishing in the top eight would make the second half of the campaign far more manageable, and Villa are well on course to do just that. Before the tournament started, Opta ranked Feyenoord and Bologna seventh and eighth in terms of expected league stage finish, none of Villa’s upcoming opponents ranked higher. Has the hard work already been done?
UTV
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For an extremely insightful read into Unai Emery and Villa’s current set up, check out the MOMS recommended Rise of the Villans:
