How did Aston Villa become…good?

On the 26th July 2020, the final day of the 2019-20 season, Aston Villa confirmed their Premier League status courtesy of a 1-1 draw with West Ham at the London Stadium. Wind forward less than four months, and both of these sides, who were embroiled in relegation battles last campaign, are now looking upwards rather than over the shoulder. But particularly in the case of Villa, how has everything suddenly become so rosy? 

It’s worth pointing out that with four games left to play last season, Villa were four points adrift of 17th-placed Watford with a significantly inferior goal difference and winless in six following the return from lockdown. Despite impressively reaching the Carabao Cup final, much of the season was an incredible struggle with a leaky defence and strikeforce desperately lacking in goals. 

Their surprise turnaround started in rather fortuitous fashion following a 2-0 home victory over Crystal Palace. Much is made of goal line technology’s massive hiccup during the 0-0 draw with Sheffield United in which Villa keeper, Ørjan Nyland, appeared to carry the ball over his own line. Quite inexplicably, the cameras did not notify the referee, the goal never happened and Villa grabbed a point following a resolute second half.

Photo: Sky Sports – Nyland carrying the ball behind the line. No goal given.

However, the next slice of luck proved even more decisive when Mamadou Sakho netted for Palace with his shoulder, only for the goal to be ruled out for handball, much to the Eagles’ dismay. Villa ruthlessly swept Palace aside after that good break, courtesy of Trézéguet’s brace and they never looked back, accruing five points from their final three games to confirm their place in the Premier League for the 2020/21 season.

But, after such a fraught campaign, blighted by lengthy winless runs, bags of goals conceded, and frequent calls for Dean Smith to go, how do Villa now sit seventh in the table, with a game in hand and eyes firmly set on the top four? It’s quite a simple answer, really. 

Good recruitment. 

Photo: Reuters – Summer signings, Ollie Watkins and Ross Barkley, join Jack Grealish in celebration.

Their nifty summer of investment has pushed them on dramatically, bolstering the squad with genuine quality across the pitch. Following Tom Heaton’s unfortunate injury last season their form nosedived, but they have since swooped in to claim Arsenal’s Emi Martinez, who impressed in the latter stages of last season. For only £16m, he has already displayed his worth, helping settle a nervy defence in Heaton’s absence, sharing the record for most clean sheets so far this campaign. 

Dean Smith spent a great deal of time managing in the Championship with Brentford and Aston Villa before joining football’s elite and this summer he chose not to underestimate the ability of the division. Taking a dip into the second tier, he secured two impressive signatures; the first arriving from Nottingham Forest in the shape of ever willing full-back, Matty Cash. He has quickly slotted into the Villa starting XI, making himself at home in the Premier League.

Photo: Aston Villa – Matty Cash

Following Cash to Villa Park was Smith’s most expensive acquisition – Ollie Watkins. Brentford’s 19/20 top scorer and in-demand striker joined with a reputation for a steely composure in front of goal and blistering pace and so far, he hasn’t disappointed. With six goals in seven games, including an impressive hattrick against Liverpool and a fabulous brace at the Emirates, Watkins appears to have settled like a duck to water. 

But at the moment, and while it remains very early in the season, one of the candidates for signing of the season has to be Ross Barkley. Joining on a season-long loan deal from Chelsea, Barkley has revelled in a central role, netting a couple of goals but more importantly contributing to their overall style of play. His arrival has invariably lifted the performances of those around him, none more so than Jack Grealish.

As Villa’s most gifted player, it appeared at times last season that the pressure to perform was solely on the shoulders of the Villa captain. Courtesy of Barkley’s presence, opposition players have been forced to deploy their focus elsewhere, leaving gaps for Grealish and co to cause further trouble.  

Photo: NBC Sports – Barkley celebrates his later winner against Leicester

It’s not been a perfect summer, however, with the jury still out on Bertrand Traore. His performances are yet to grab the attention of the Villa faithful but the addition is still a far cry from their desperate situation last season, relying on the likes of Mbwana Samatta and Anwar El Ghazi for goals. At the very least, Traore contributes to the team, helping provide the quality that every good squad needs – strength in depth. 

So, what then can we expect from Villa for the rest of the season? Will we see them amongst the top four? Will they be challenging for a Europa League place? 

It’s still too early in the season to truly judge where Aston Villa will be finishing this season, but, there can be no denying – the signs are positive. They have a young, threatening and generally fearless team with a strong English core, Premier League experience and a positive forward momentum. Get fans back into the Holte End and who knows… 

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