2024 will always be remembered as the year Aston Villa returned to Europe’s top table, although much of the heavy lifting was actually done in 2023. It has been a year of highs and lows, and Villa’s standing in both European and domestic competitions will depend on a strong start to 2025. Here are five reasons to be cheerful in the New Year:
Undefeated
A new year brings a fresh start for all of us, but for football clubs, it’s also a chance to embark on an undefeated streak. With the same optimism (and perhaps naivety) as every year, I start wondering how long Aston Villa can remain unbeaten. Typically, this dream ends quickly, as the third round of the FA Cup often looms around the corner.
The domestic cups tend to get in the way of such runs – if you forget about the Carabao Cup, Villa would actually be unbeaten at Villa Park since their defeat against Arsenal, back in August (more of that later).
Nonetheless, let’s begin 2025 with hope. We can ignore the FA Cup and dream of a long undefeated run in the year, that hopefully sparks another race for Champions League places and continued European progress.
Loosey Goosey
Villa’s defensive vulnerabilities have been glaring ever since last season’s opening-day thrashing against Newcastle. Despite regularly shipping goals, Villa end the year just three points off fifth place (albeit with a lot of teams in the way) and fifth in the Champions League standings with two group-stage matches left. Villa are not alone in their struggles – only the top three teams in the league have conceded fewer than 20 goals.
The good news? If Unai Emery can re-balance the squad and strengthen defensively in the New Year, Villa are still poised for a strong finish. However, their attacking inefficiency is equally concerning. Ollie Watkins leads the Premier League in ‘Big Chances Missed’, with a staggering 17 by the year’s end (that’s also with a lot less shots than the likes of Mo Sarah and Erling Haaland). If the forwards sharpen up and Emery can tighten the back line, Villa remain in an decent position to finish the season on a high.
Durán-go
One major positive from this season has been the emergence of Jhon Durán. Following a turbulent summer where fans would be forgiven for wanting to see the back of him, he has silenced critics, signing a new deal and becoming Villa’s most reliable finisher. If Emery can find a way to keep Durán in the centre and have Watkins reverting to his previous role off the left, then perhaps Villa can improve on the poor goal difference.
Initially dismissed as an impact sub who benefited from Watkins’ work rate, Durán has shattered that narrative with a string of strong starts. His growing partnership with Morgan Rogers is particularly exciting, as their on-pitch chemistry mirrors their apparent off-pitch camaraderie. If this duo continues to thrive, Villa’s attack should become more clinical in the months ahead.
Home Form
Villa’s success in 2023 owed much to their formidable home record. That run was controversially ended last December by a refereeing disasterclass against Sheffield United, and subsequently didn’t recover as Villa limped over the line to finish in the top four.
The new season began with a home defeat against Arsenal – a game Villa arguably deserved to win. Since then, however, they have recovered strongly and now sit fourth in the league for home form. While there may have been a few too many draws, Villa remain unbeaten at home in both the league and Europe since August, with standout victories against Bayern Munich and Manchester City.
If a top-four challenge is to materialise, maintaining this formidable home form will be crucial in providing both points and stability.
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Champions League
With the league form plodding along in stops and starts, Europe has been Villa’s big success story so far this season. With two games remaining, Emery’s men will certainly aim to secure a top 8 spot straight into the round of the last 16. The longer the European run continues, the longer Villa’s season will stay alive if things don’t pan out domestically.
Fans have been treated to some excellent evenings so far in the European campaign. From the iconic win over Bayern Munich to the late winner in Leipzig, and even the fleeting euphoria of scoring a last-minute winner against Juventus before VAR did what VAR does best.
But the best may be yet to come. Emery’s tactical acumen and style seem better suited to Europe’s elite competition than the grind of the Premier League. Can Villa go all the way? Do you want to bet against us?
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yes Villa have done reasonably well. but reasonably well is not good enough any more. consistency is the key. that’s where the Arsenals, Liverpools and in the past Man City’s reign. other teams cry out about injuries Man City, man Utd, Newcastle for example yet the Villa can match their injury records easily. now another 1 or 2 months no Torres. we’ve not really had Ramsay since last year. Bailey out of form all this season, McGinn on and off but not a real McGinn. watkins back to his missing multiple chances every game. if taking the chances he would be well out in the lead for the golden boot. his place is on the wing. Duran in the middle but what about another or new other winger? trades: full back, centre back -( for sure) creative midfielder? maybe, winger with pace and ability yo score.