Aston Villa's recent foray into the Champions League has undoubtedly been a significant milestone for the club, yet their performances in the Premier League have raised pressing concerns. After achieving a commendable top-eight finish last season, Villa now finds itself grappling with a troubling trend: the team has managed to secure only six points from their last eight league matches. Their sole victory during this period came against Wolverhampton Wanderers in September, underscoring the challenges of balancing the demands of both domestic and European competitions.
Defender Ezri Konsa has been vocal about the team's struggles, candidly stating, "We just weren't good enough. Simple as that. We performed better in the second half, but we didn't have enough. We can make excuses about being fatigued, but if we want to play in the Champions League, we have to be prepared to play in games like this." He also highlighted a worrying trend in their away form, noting, "This season, away from home, we have conceded early goals quite a lot. It's something we have to work on." Konsa further emphasised the need for improvement, saying, "We have to stop conceding goals - I feel like we are conceding every game and me, being in the back line, I have to go back, look on it, and change it. And I don't think we troubled their back four or goalkeeper enough. We have to improve - and we have to do it now."
Manager Unai Emery now faces the daunting task of maintaining squad balance amid evolving team dynamics. Villa initially thrived under his stewardship, but recent months have seen a shift in narrative, compounded by some changes in personnel. While the core group remains largely intact, questions linger regarding its sustainability. Key player Ollie Watkins is expected to stay at the club until at least the summer, while Emery's recent signings include promising talents like Morgan Rogers, alongside less impactful additions such as Amadou Onana and Ian Maatsen. The dream of consistently qualifying for the Champions League appears increasingly elusive.
Reflecting on their Champions League success, Emery remarked, "We were enjoying Wednesday in the Champions League. We were very happy to get to the last 16. The next step is for this to be a normal way for us." He acknowledged the challenges that lie ahead, stating, "Last year, we did it because we were in the Conference League. We achieved the semi-final and we got into the Champions League position through the league. This year, we are going in this direction. But it's been more difficult." Emery also stressed the importance of realism, asserting, "We have to be intelligent as well because we don't have the power some teams have. This is clear. We are not Arsenal, we are not Liverpool, we are not Manchester City. To be competing with them - wow - we make big efforts to do so. Sometimes, we are not getting that."
Despite the challenges, the season is far from over for Villa. The team is set to host Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup next Sunday, with a last-16 tie in the Champions League scheduled for next month. The race for a top-four finish remains alive, presenting numerous opportunities for redemption. The potential arrival of exciting talents such as Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio could inject new life into the squad.
As the season progresses, Villa fans may find themselves reflecting on the difficulties encountered in securing victories following Champions League matches—an issue that could have significant implications as the campaign unfolds. The full impact of these struggles will become clearer in the coming weeks, as the club seeks to navigate the complexities of competing on multiple fronts.