Regarded as having the potential to be one of Unai Emery’s most important additions at the time of his signing, Aston Villa defender Pau Torres certainly hasn’t disappointed so far this season.
The 26-year-old has made 20 appearances across all competitions, and his influence has stretched well beyond what he offers in the defensive phase.
READ MORE: Key Villa figure continues to be driving force in success under Emery
Of course, that is the priority for a centre-half, and so with 57 percent of his tackles won, 41 clearances, 57 duels won, nine interceptions, seven blocks and 58 percent of headers won, he has undoubtedly been crucial in our collective defensive performances thus far.
Add to that his discipline and organisation in fitting into a high line and implementing that Emery principle so effectively despite his lack of pace, there are so many impressive strings to his bow that he’s showcased already.
What the Spanish international also adds though, is elite-level composure, technical ability, vision and intelligence from a ball-playing defender’s perspective, as he has been fundamental to the way we want to play.
Currently, he boasts an 89 percent pass completion rate, with 1154 passes completed from an attempted 1296. He has added a calmness to the backline as we try to play our way out and around a high press, and that is critical to Emery’s philosophy and identity.
The pressure and expectation on his shoulders rose dramatically after the devastating injury blow suffered by Tyrone Mings in our season-opener in the Premier League, and so while he may well have initially been set to play a more steady role as he integrated into the side, Torres was forced to take on a major one instead just months after his arrival from Spain.
That was never going to be a concern for Emery though, as having worked with Torres previously, he was very clear some time ago as to how highly he rated his compatriot and where he could see him going in the future.
“Pau Torres is an amazing player, I think he’s a top player,” Emery said in March 2021 as per Football.London. “I’ve been a coach in Sevilla, Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and I’ve never seen a centre back like Pau Torres.
“I think he’s going to play at the highest level, he’s playing now in the national team but he can play in the top teams in Europe very soon.”
In March 2021, no-one would have predicted that the pair would be leading Villa’s attempt to become one of the top teams in England now, but here we are, and how thankful we are that that process played out.
We’ve seen players right across the squad step up and take their respective game to the next level under Emery, and so that always makes it difficult to single out individuals for praise, as everyone involved deserves recognition.
Torres is no different, and aside from being such a key figure defensively, he has been fundamental in our desire and evolution to play the football we’re playing now, and it’s hoped we’re still yet to see the very best of him.
Naturally, Villa want midfield duo Douglas Luiz and Boubacar Kamara to dictate and control in the middle of the pitch, but as we saw against Arsenal, that isn’t always possible if the opposition target them and try to deny them time and space to pull the strings.
What most opposing sides can’t do though is man-mark or pressure every player on this Villa team for every minute of the game in our third. That in turn gives Torres, Diego Carlos and others time and space to control and create, and so that dynamic in this Villa XI is what helps to make us so impressive.
Torres though, has been a delight to watch and with Mings not expected to return until next season, he will continue to be an integral part of our potential success this year.
— r (@CIoutCo13a1n) December 10, 2023
