Aston Villa: Shifting Gears Amidst Setbacks
As a busy fixture list looms, Aston Villa find themselves stuck in mid-table, raising the question: can they regain their momentum and fight for a European spot?
Positive Signs
Although Villa’s form has dipped since their win against Bournemouth, there is some comfort in knowing that many of their Premier League rivals are also struggling with inconsistency. Villa’s points average in 2024 has dropped to 1.52 per game, down from 2.02 last year. If this trend continues, they would likely finish around 8th place, just outside of Europe. However, this isn’t a catastrophe. Even clubs like Manchester United, who are in a similarly poor run of form, have only managed the same points tally as Villa, and they’ve already made a managerial change.
While the pressure on Unai Emery isn’t overwhelming yet, Villa’s current trajectory could lead to a finish of around 58 points, which would leave them out of the European race. Given the significant investment in new contracts for players like Martinez, Bailey, and Rogers, a failure to qualify for Europe would be a setback. Still, Villa are much better off than when Emery first took charge. The season is young, but improvements in performance are necessary for the team to restore confidence and regain momentum.
Villan of the Week – Morgan Rogers
At Aston Villa, new contracts often coincide with a dip in form, but Morgan Rogers has bucked that trend. A year ago, he was largely unknown outside of Villa’s dedicated fanbase, but now, he’s one of the club’s standout players. After earning his first two England caps, Rogers has firmly established himself as a key talent for both Villa and the national team, with a place in the 2024 World Cup now a realistic goal.
The Challenges
Recent weeks have been difficult for Villa, with poor performances stretching over several matches. In the past, a bad result could be reversed with a strong performance the following week, but now, the team’s lack of intensity has lasted longer, and opponents have taken full advantage. Teams such as Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Tottenham, Bruges, and Liverpool have all exposed Villa’s lack of urgency, and if Villa can’t snap out of this sluggish form, their European ambitions could fade quickly.
Underlying Problems
While recent results have been frustrating, the more concerning issue is the decline in performance. Villa have looked slower and less intense compared to other top teams, despite having several pacey players like Rogers, Watkins, Bailey, Ramsey, and Maatsen. The team is failing to match the tempo set by rivals. Ollie Watkins, known for his pressing game, has been less effective, and high-energy teams like Liverpool, Newcastle, Spurs, and Chelsea are cutting through Villa’s defense with ease. These clubs, all vying for a top-four finish, are playing with pace and directness—two qualities that Villa have lacked in recent weeks.
Liverpool, for example, are statistically the best team in Europe at the moment, with their attacking transitions happening at lightning speed. Villa, on the other hand, have become more cautious, with their build-up play often too slow and intricate. It’s a style reminiscent of the over-elaborate football seen at Arsenal under Arsène Wenger—lots of passing, but with little penetration into the final third. The result is football that, while pleasing to the eye, is failing to deliver tangible results on the pitch.
For Villa to get back on track, their attack needs to regain its fluidity and speed. Defensively, the team remains vulnerable, with just one clean sheet in the Premier League this season—a worrying stat that suggests the backline can’t be relied upon to keep teams at bay. While Pau Torres and his defensive partner may excel in moving the ball forward, Villa’s forwards must be more clinical if they are to avoid losing games due to defensive mistakes.
Time for Tactical Change?
With a squad capable of playing quick, attacking football, it may be time for Unai Emery to reassess his tactical approach. Villa can’t afford to stick with a style that relies too heavily on intricate passing and high-possession play, especially when it leaves them exposed to mistakes. Instead, they need to play with greater intensity and directness—focusing on fast transitions and exploiting their attacking pace. If Emery can shift Villa’s tactics and increase the tempo of their play, there is still time to turn the season around. The next few games will be crucial in determining whether Villa can reclaim their form and challenge for European spots as the year progresses.
