Aston Villa secured a 5-0 win over Sheffield Utd on Saturday evening, as Unai Emery saw his side make a welcome return to form in front of goal.
Goals from John McGinn, Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey and Youri Tielemans put us 4-0 up inside the opening half hour, with Alex Moreno adding our fifth just after the break.
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Aside from the delight of watching Villa put on a brilliant performance, the result also moved us back into the top four in the Premier League table, and will hopefully stretch our lead over the chasing pack come the end of the weekend.
Focus will quickly switch to Chelsea in our FA Cup replay in midweek, but this was an important display and result for Villa to hopefully put our mini slump behind us.
Timely return to goalscoring form for Villa
After just one win in our last five league games, and having scored just two goals in our previous four games across all competitions, the goals had dried up for Villa and was becoming a concern.
There was undoubtedly a dip in our performance or just a disruption to our usual rhythm for whatever reason, and it led to a string of underwhelming displays where we struggled to really trouble the opposition.
However, that was all blown away in 30 glorious minutes at Bramall Lane this weekend, as we looked clinical and ruthless in the way in which we dispatched of Sheffield Utd, showing real quality in our build-up play while combining that with a decisive end-product to put our chances away.
That’s hopefully the boost in confidence that the players needed after a little dip, and we’ll look to carry that form into next week.
Douglas Luiz displays his class in brief showing
Although he only managed 45 minutes having been ill before the game, that was more than enough time for Douglas Luiz to produce some majestic football.
While his through ball to Watkins in the lead up to John McGinn’s opener was excellent, he went one better shortly after with one of the assists of the season.
The Brazilian midfielder seemingly casually played a pin-point pass with the outside of foot that bent around the last centre-half and into Watkins’ path, who then made no mistake and produced the finish that the assist deserved. Hopefully Luiz recovers in the coming days and can build some momentum off this performance as he looks to be more decisive consistently.
Ollie Watkins continues his fine form
That’s now 11 goals and 10 assists in 23 PL appearances so far this season, as the 28-year-old became the first player to register 10+ goals and 10+ assists in Europe’s top five leagues this year.
Combine that form in front of goal with his movement in the final third and his work ethic out of possession, Watkins is having himself a season as he continues to lead the line brilliantly for us.
Naturally, it’s hoped that there are many, many more goal involvements to come between now and the end of the campaign, but he continues to underline his importance for us, both to how we play and with his decisive contributions in front of goal that make him fundamental for Emery.
Good use of substitutions from Emery
Our commanding lead afforded us the opportunity to rest key players and give valuable minutes to others on the bench, and Emery used his changes really well.
Morgan Rogers was handed his debut – and should have marked it with a goal – Jacob Ramsey got a 45-minute run out off the back of his injury, Moussa Diaby looked like he benefitted from a confidence-boosting half hour on the pitch while Tim Iroegbunam looked calm and composed in midfield in the latter stages as he may well be needed to step up in the coming months.
Emery has consistently spoken about the importance of the squad and integrating every player to help ensure they’re ready when needed. That is exactly what the bench players got this weekend, and it’ll hopefully help prepare them to step into the starting XI when called upon.
Crucial this kick-starts a strong run of form
As noted above, this was a much-needed result for Villa to brush off the disappointment and doubts that might have emanated from our recent results and get back to playing at the level that we’re capable of.
A number of players looked re-energised and full of confidence again, and having bounced back from every defeat under Emery to win the following game shows the strength of our mentality and resolve.
It’s important now though that we back this win up against Chelsea and Man Utd in the FA Cup and Premier League respectively in the next seven days, as it will no doubt give us a massive lift in our pursuit of silverware and sealing a top four spot in the table.
Some will no doubt put this result down to the level of the opposition given their struggles, but to sweep them aside so convincingly away from home should be crucial for our own belief and confidence.