Thrillers at the Villa: A calm and classy centre-back, the versatile England defender and a force of nature in midfield… five unsung heroes who have Unai Emery’s boys flying high
- Aston Villa have enjoyed a remarkable transformation under Unai Emery
- Chris Sutton: Villa are ‘proper top four contenders’ after win over Man City
- Man City are vulnerable, but come the spring they will put on the afterburners. Leaders Arsenal must seize their moment now – Listen to It’s All Kicking Off
Unai Emery is keen to keep a lid on expectations but Aston Villa have enjoyed a remarkable transformation under the Spaniard.
Leon Bailey scored a late winner against Pep Guardiola’s side at Villa Park on Wednesday night to record their third win in four games and move them above Man City and into third in the Premier League table.
It continues a superb season that has already seen them beat Chelsea and Tottenham and they will be seen as serious contenders to claim a place in Europe’s elite should they continue their upward trajectory.
The bedrock to Villa’s strong campaign has been their home form. They have won an astonishing 13 successive Premier League games at Villa Park.
Mail Sport’s Jack Gaughan highlights five unsung heroes who have Unai Emery’s boys flying high.
Aston Villa have enjoyed a remarkable transformation under manager Unai Emery
DIEGO CARLOS
Villa spent around £26million on the Brazilian when Steven Gerrard was in charge but he lost nearly all of his debut campaign in England to a ruptured achilles tendon sustained two games in.
Carlos had built a reputation as a strong no-nonsense centre half at Sevilla and is still fighting his way into this team under Unai Emery.
He did a superb job helping to nullify Erling Haaland on Wednesday night, not needing to attempt a single tackle all night.
He’s had fitness problems this year too and Villa need to keep him fit given the prolonged absence of Tyrone Mings
Diego Carlos did a superb job helping to nullify Erling Haaland on Wednesday night
EZRI KONSA
With a first England call-up now under his belt, Konsa is thriving and showing a versatility for Emery.
Matty Cash dropped to the bench in midweek , with Konsa tasked with keeping Phil Foden quiet from right back rather than his normal central berth.
There has been an element of the 26-year-old remaining in the shadows and overlooked for others but he is now earning deserved plaudits.
Even from within the back four, gives Villa an energy.
Ezri Konsa (L) and Boubacar Kamara have played a key role in Aston Villa’s upturn in fortunes
PAU TORRES
Forever linked with the Premier League, Torres secured a £31m move from Villarreal last summer.
Emery coached him for two years in Spain, beating Manchester United in the 2021 Europa League final, and it was only a matter of time before he came to England.
Classy on the ball and never flustered, Torres is a calming influence amid the chaos.
Positionally sound and offers a nice balance on the left-hand side of a central defensive pairing
BOUBACAR KAMARA
Another signed by Gerrard and now truly flourishing, Kamara is a force of nature in central midfield.
A near ever-present so far in the Premier League and does the dirtier work so others ahead can go and press home advantages.
Nobody made more than Kamara’s three interceptions during the victory over Manchester City. All three were in very different areas of the pitch, showcasing how much ground he covers. His pass completion of 89 per cent wouldn’t look out of place in the best City side
Forward Leon Bailey has only just fought a way back into Emery’s preferred starting XI
LEON BAILEY
The Jamaican has only just fought a way back into Emery’s preferred starting XI with the impressive Moussa Diaby usually selected out on the right wing.
Now has two goals in two after also scoring at Bournemouth on Sunday. It’s three in four league starts this term, as well, and Bailey always offers a threat in the final third of the pitch.
The way in which he terrorised Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol, hugging the touchline to stretch City’s system, showed the options at Emery’s disposal as Villa chase a Champions League place.
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