The Talk Villa Newsletter: #8
Villa held by Man Utd after a European night to remember as much-needed break is upon us...
The unfiltered anticipation, exhilaration and elation of last Wednesday night will take some beating. Aston Villa’s win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League was an experience to remember, and as we so often find ourselves doing during Unai Emery’s reign, it was an occasion and moment to soak in in all its glory.
Then there was Manchester United on Sunday.
We don’t tend to do drab goalless draws very often, but good lord we made up for it this past weekend. A weakened Villa side were held by Erik ten Hag’s men, and it’s another sign of the better times when we come away disappointed from getting only a point against the Red Devils.
As always, there was no external frustration or bemoaning from Emery. Just his usual offering of pure honesty and positivity. A draw was a fair result, said the Gaffer, as he pointed to the overall excellent start we’ve made to this campaign.
Five key talking points after Villa held in goalless draw vs Man Utd
Opportunity missed, but decent point in context
After all the hype and the magnitude of the game in midweek, coupled with the fact that we put in an excellent performance to defeat Bayern Munich, it was always going to be difficult to show that same level of intensity and quality just a few days later, particularly with a weakened squad.
Villa are going through it early on with injuries and fitness issues, and so while there is disappointment that we couldn't go through the gears and find a winner with the game there to be won, there are certainly factors that support the argument that a point was a decent outcome in the end.
This season is going to take its toll on the players, but one major positive this week was that we registered consecutive clean sheets, and that strong foundation will be fundamental as the campaign goes on as we’ve stopped leaking goals for now.
Growing injury list a concern
Losing Ezri Konsa to a hamstring injury after just 11 minutes was a real blow, as he became the latest key figure to pick up a setback and face a potential spell on the sidelines as he recovers.
With John McGinn, Jacob Ramsey, Amadou Onana, Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara all missing too, while Leon Bailey is clearly not fully fit either, it's stretching the squad already, and that's a concern just a handful of games into the season.
Still, we had the quality and depth to cope this weekend as we saw the likes of Ross Barkley and Jaden Philogene step in and play their part, and so it's hoped that we can continue to find solutions when faced with adversity.
International break comes at a crucial time
There's no denying that the break comes at a great time for Villa, as it now gives us an opportunity to rest, recover and regroup after a challenging start to the campaign, both physically and mentally.
With a number of players set to travel for international duty, it's not ideal, but the next fortnight gives those named above an opportunity to step up their respective recoveries from injury and hopefully come back into contention when we face Fulham on October 19.
It will be a key period at Bodymoor Heath for the squad, as it's hoped that we come out firing after the break and return to our usual level of intensity and energy, which in turn will also allow us to play with rhythm and quality to get back to playing our best football.
Learning curve after high of Bayern win, schedule management
While Villa had experience of the schedule challenges last season too with our Europa Conference League run, the Champions League and our opponents are at a different level in terms of what it requires from the players to compete with the best sides in Europe.
Emery is vastly experienced in this arena given his success in European competitions over the years, but it still must take some getting used to for the squad to adapt and be at their best in midweek and to then go again in the league.
Our win over Bayern was perhaps an anomaly in that it was just a huge game in every context and that took a lot out of everyone. The hope is that we'll be able to rotate more and have fresher minds and legs later this month as and when players return from injury.
Positive overall start to the season
As noted above, Emery was keen to focus on the positives after the game, and one of them was our overall start to the season.
14 points from our opening seven Premier League games and a maximum six-point haul from our two Champions League outings, we've undoubtedly started strongly, despite our injury list growing increasingly longer.
It's a foundation on which we can build in both competitions as we look to kick on this year and compete at the top, and having also advanced in the Carabao Cup, we've had a successful run to start this season and that will keep spirits high going into the break.
Other notable news
Villa’s Champions League delight
We can’t not talk about that win.
Villa were exceptional against Bayern. The discipline, organisation and work-rate was incredible. Led by another Emery masterplan, Emiliano Martinez was sensational, the backline was magnificent and every player gave their all for the team.
Duran’s brilliance won it, but it was a magical night and win, one that will live long in the memories of the Villa faithful.
Jhon Duran signs new Villa contract
Back in the summer, when I never doubted Jhon Duran for a second and predicted his start to the season would ultimately lead to him signing a new long-term Villa contract, I’m sure this did seem a long way off for the rest of you.
His off-the-pitch antics were adding fuel to the fire amid heavy speculation linking him with an exit, while question marks had already been raised over his attitude and commitment in adapting to Emery’s demands in his first year-and-a-half at the club.
Fast forward a few months though, he has not only scored decisive goal after decisive goal to make an early mark, his coach and teammates can’t stop waxing lyrical about him in the media.
It’s been some transformation from the 20-year-old, but it’s now been capped off with the reward of a new contract, which will potentially keep him with us until 2030.
The ongoing challenge is to maintain this mentality, consistency and impact, as a starter or off the bench, and establish himself as a fundamental figure in our progress and success.
For now though, this is a deserved reward for the improvement he’s made this season, and it’s now hoped that Duran has a massive future in a Villa shirt ahead of him…while it also means that the Duran Duran puns are here to stay. Everyone wins.
Mings and Kamara on the verge of comebacks
Speaking of wonderful sights, Tyrone Mings and Boubacar Kamara featured for our U21s side in Premier League 2 this past weekend, as they now target a return at senior level.
Emery confirmed this plan for their comebacks a week or so ago, and after 45 minutes on Saturday, they will now look to push on in group training and put themselves in contention to be named in the squad to face Fulham after the break.
Particularly as our squad gets tested with injuries and fitness issues, but more so given the influence, experience, leadership and class that the Villa pair bring to the team, it will be huge for our aspirations moving forward to have them back.
It will take time and patience before they get back to the levels expected, but it will give everyone a lift, and strengthen our ability to compete for major honours and objectives this year.
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