Five Reasons to be Cheerful as Villans
Let’s be honest, when Unai Emery joined Villa, we all half-expected the team to be at the top of the Champions League within two years, didn’t we? No surprises there at all… Seriously speaking though, it’s been quite the transformative two-years, and here we are, sitting fourth in the Premier League (again) and leading the newly reformatted Champions League. The media at large are still struggling to process what this Villa team are capable of doing, but we know something special is brewing. After an excellent week for the club, here are the Five Reasons to be Cheerful as Villans.
The Top
This is a week to savor and reflect. Although it’s early in the tournament and could ultimately mean little in the grand scheme, Aston Villa sits at the top of the European Champions League, having not conceded a single goal and defeating the likes of Bayern Munich. Are we the best team in Europe? No, but with each passing week, we’re proving we deserve a seat at the top table. The win against Bologna had its shaky defensive moments, but our offensive prowess and effective attacking combinations were, once again, too much for our opposition. We may not win the competition, and we may not stay at the top for long; that’s why this week is a moment to savor—the most positive experience in my thirty-plus years of supporting this club.
Reflecting, it feels like only yesterday that Villa was relegated and faced potential administration. Then, we scraped through the first season back in the Premier League on the final day, only to endure Steven Gerrard’s disastrous spell. As we sit at the top, I can’t help but marvel at how far we’ve come; now, it’s about staying there.
The Wins
With eight domestic games and three European matches played so far this season, Villa has racked up eight wins. The recent victories over a tough Fulham side at Craven Cottage and Bologna midweek were particularly satisfying. The high level of coaching is evident, as Villa outplayed strong opposition with incisive, fluid attacks. Not only are the performances easy on the eye, but they also demonstrate true team spirit as the players battled from behind for the fifth time this season. There’s no denying it – this is a strong Villa side.
The Squad
The depth of Villa’s bench is another pleasing aspect this week. Substitutes are influencing matches, and Unai Emery has a real rotation on offer. Every option on the bench against Fulham offered something unique without a significant drop in quality (Emi Martinez aside). The ability to rest players like Ollie Watkins and Lucas Digne and still win against Serie A opposition in the Champions League is remarkable, especially as Boubacar Kamara, Jacob Ramsey, and Emi Buendía make more appearances following injuries. Even Tyrone Mings’ inclusion in the matchday squad, despite not yet featuring, is a boost for team morale, Emery’s options, and the fans alike.
The Colombian
He scored again – his seventh goal in all competitions – and then put on a little fireworks show on the bench, assaulting Lamare Bogarde’s poor seat. Villa is in a rare positive position in today’s game: we have two strikers scoring goals. Jhon Durán is a handful both on and off the pitch, but his teammates’ reactions – and the lack of reaction from Emery – are promising signs. There seems to be a good handle on Durán now, and the club and player have learned to co-exist successfully. Football can be fickle, but while he keeps scoring crucial goals, he’ll have a bit of room for antics… within reason. And now that he’s tied to a long-term contract, there’s added stability in this relationship.
The 1% Cup
The League Cup has largely become a meaningless competition unless you stumble into the semi-finals, at which point you may as well take it seriously. But this year’s home tie against Crystal Palace actually serves Emery’s plans well. He’ll undoubtedly rest his regular starters but will also want to see how returning players handle a competitive fixture. The match will give youth, long-term absentees, and players vying for minutes a chance to impress the manager as we head into the winter stretch. Hopefully, they’ll serve up a better display than we saw in last season’s domestic cup games.
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