Aston Villa battled to a 2-1 win over Leicester City on Saturday, with Amadou Onana and Jhon Duran getting on the scoresheet to seal the three points.
After the disappointment of defeat last weekend and with the international break ahead of us, it was important for Villa to get back to winning ways ahead of a packed September in which we also get our Champions League campaign underway.
READ MORE: Villa player ratings vs Leicester City: Classy display from influential ace, decisive Duran impact
While Leicester caused us problems at times and set up a thrilling finish at the King Power Stadium, we were able to hold out and secure a hard-fought victory, making it two wins in three to start the Premier League season.
Villa are next in action against Everton at home on September 14, and it’s hoped that we can continue to build on our positive start and pick up from where we left off after the break concludes.
Villa lack control, but show scrappy side to seal win
Unai Emery often speaks about control in games, but Villa struggled to consistently maintain it in this encounter.
Perhaps bookings for Youri Tielemans and Amadou Onana hampered them and subsequently impacted our ability to impose ourselves on the game more effectively, but as a collective unit, we didn’t have control for large periods.
That in turn is something that we will continue to work on. As not only will it invariably lead to us getting positive results on a more consistent basis, but it puts less strain on the players over the course of a gruelling season.
Speaking of strain, there was another injury setback as Leon Bailey limped off after just 16 minutes, while Jaden Philogene missed out with a knock too. It’s hoped the break also gives us a chance to recover and regroup.
Lamare Bogarde puts in promising display on Premier League debut
It was somewhat of a surprise decision from Emery to pick Bogarde to start at right-back over Kosta Nedeljkovic, with Matty Cash sidelined by injury.
Nevertheless, the 20-year-old Dutchman showed why he is so highly thought of, as he put in a mature, composed and effective performance in the first half to build on an encouraging pre-season as well as signing a new long-term deal.
Admittedly, after his caution and having been caught out in the lead up to Leicester’s goal, he began to struggle in the second half, but it was an important experience for him to build on as it looks as though he could have an important role this season as a depth option.
Youri Tielemans continues to pull the strings in midfield
It was another classy display from the Belgian midfielder, as he controlled tempo and dictated our play in that deeper role next to Onana.
His composure, vision and passing range allow him to pull the strings and make us tick, but he puts in a really important shift for the team from a defensive perspective too with his work-rate and ability to maintain our structure in front of the defence.
He will have a fundamental role for us now that Douglas Luiz is gone, and he appears to be relishing in it and playing some of the best football we’ve seen from him since we signed him.
Ollie Watkins searching for clinical edge
One of the big hopes going into this game was that Watkins would get on the scoresheet and give himself a crucial confidence boost after his misses against Arsenal.
Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to do that as he couldn’t convert two big chances in the first half, and his replacement went on to score the all-important winning goal again.
As Emery highlighted in his post-match interview though, the crucial and positive thing is that Watkins is still getting into the right positions and we’re creating those chances for him. The goals will come, but for the sake of his confidence and our success this season, it’s hoped they return sooner rather than later.
Another superb impact from Jhon Duran
All the talking over the summer is done, and Duran looks like he is integrating and adapting much more effectively to start this season.
He cuts a happier figure in training and off the pitch, and that’s now two out of three games in which he’s come off the bench and made a winning impact.
The Colombian striker still had a lot to do with the cross stood up to him from Lucas Digne, as he generated power and accuracy to find the back of the net. It’s been so refreshing to see him locked in and contributing to the team, and it’s hoped he can continue to showcase his quality this season and fulfil his potential.
