With only eight games left in the season, Aston Villa finds themselves in a promising position, edging closer to the top of the Premier League table rather than languishing in sixth place.
Unai Emery’s squad secured their 18th league victory in a crucial match against Wolves over the weekend, adding another three points to their tally as they strive for a coveted spot in the Champions League. Ahead of their upcoming fixture against Manchester City, Villa enjoys an 11-point lead over Manchester United, coupled with a superior goal difference.
For Manchester United to match Villa’s potential 68 points, they would need to win seven out of their remaining nine games. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s recent success, securing their fourth league win in five matches, underscores the intensity of the race for the top four spots. Depending largely on the outcomes of the next round of European fixtures, finishing fifth could prove sufficient for Champions League qualification in the upcoming season.
Villa impressed Emery, who acknowledged their seriousness.
Villa had struggled against Wolves in their recent home encounters, failing to secure a victory in their last six Premier League matches at Villa Park against them, with their last win dating back to 2003. Gary O’Neil’s side faced challenges with key players like Hwang Hee-chan, Pedro Neto, and Matheus Cunha sidelined due to injuries.
Despite Wolves posing difficulties for the hosts at the beginning of each half, Villa’s superior quality ultimately prevailed. At this crucial stage of the season, accumulating points is paramount, and Emery expressed his satisfaction with his team’s reaction to the slow start.
“We started a bit sluggishly in the first 20 minutes,” Emery remarked to Sky Sports. “Even after scoring [the offside goal], we faced significant threats. However, we managed the game better as it progressed. Despite Wolves enjoying some dominance, especially with Nelson Semedo and Pablo Sarabia causing trouble, we improved our defensive resilience in the second half. We maintained discipline throughout the match, creating opportunities to score while remaining defensively focused.”
“We discussed our injury concerns before the game and emphasized the need to adapt with every player available throughout the season,” Emery added. “While scoring in diverse ways is crucial, I am pleased with our overall organization and our ability to create scoring chances. While celebrating Ezri Konsa’s goal, we must also explore avenues to enhance our attacking options.”
“As we prepare for the challenge against Manchester City next, we must focus on optimizing our preparations with the available squad,” Emery concluded. “Our aim is to remain consistent and perform at our best. Today’s victory is significant, and we should savor it while maintaining our determination to progress.”
Ezri Konsa’s ‘flawless’ week
Following his England debut and first start for the Three Lions during the March international break, Konsa marked his return to club action with his inaugural goal of the season. Racing past Moussa Diaby along the right wing, Konsa received the ball and lofted it towards the back post, where it struck the frame of the goal and rolled into the net – whether intentional or not, the result was decisive for Villa against Wolves.
While it might have been an unexpected contribution from Konsa, the goal proved pivotal in securing victory. Just before halftime, Konsa attempted a shot with his left foot from inside the pitch, only to send it soaring into the North Stand, eliciting amusement from both the crowd and the player himself as they headed for the break.
Reflecting on the match, Konsa described it as a “perfect week” and expressed his satisfaction with both the team’s win and his personal goal. Confident in his abilities, he credited his growth as a player and a person to the influence of the manager, emphasizing his commitment to continuing his development under the leadership of the boss.
“We understood the importance of securing a victory following Tottenham’s earlier result, and we achieved just that. I can’t recall the last time we maintained a clean sheet, so as a defender, it’s always satisfying to prevent goals.
“We’ve faced several injuries to key players this season, yet we’ve consistently delivered results when necessary. The fixtures have been relentless.”
Moussa Diaby finding his form again
Diaby’s resurgence in form continues, with five goals and seven assists in his debut Premier League season for Villa. His recent performance marked his fourth goal contribution in as many league games, showcasing a return to his early-season brilliance.
This revival comes at a pivotal juncture, with only seven weeks left in the league season. Despite fasting for Ramadan, Diaby’s dedication shone through, as he played a crucial role in Villa’s victory before briefly breaking his fast mid-match.
Alex Moreno faces challenges.
Alex Moreno has been a consistent starter in Aston Villa’s last 11 Premier League matches, but his recent performances have been below par. Despite his arrival at Villa in January last year, Moreno quickly established himself as one of the standout players last season. However, he has struggled to replicate that form lately, especially after recovering from a hamstring injury in May. While Moreno didn’t misplace any passes in the recent game, his crosses lacked accuracy, and his decision-making in the attacking third was questionable.
Emery acknowledged Moreno’s efforts in pushing forward during the match but noted that his crosses didn’t meet the expectations. Defensively, Villa faced challenges on the left side due to the movement of Sarabia and Semedo. Emery opted to make a substitution, bringing in Lucas Digne and Nicolo Zaniolo to address the defensive struggles.
Although Moreno provided an attacking outlet, there was a moment of frustration for Ollie Watkins when Moreno seemed preoccupied with adjusting his socks instead of being ready for a quick free-kick opportunity.
Tyrone Mings Energizes Villa Park Fans
Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia are steadily recovering from the ACL injuries they sustained concurrently in August. Frequently seen supporting their teammates at Villa Park, Mings sparked excitement among fans when he was spotted on camera in the stands.
Seated alongside John McGinn in the director’s box, Mings acknowledged the cheers from supporters by giving a thumbs up, prompting a resounding ovation from the crowd eager for their return to the pitch.