It's been a fortnight of turbulence for Aston Villa, a club that has seen its fortunes transformed under Unai Emery. The recent five-match stumble has inevitably sparked debates about whether there are underlying issues that need addressing. Emery's exceptional management has propelled the club to unprecedented heights, far exceeding the expectations set when he took the reins from Steven Gerrard.
Emery's tenure has been nothing short of remarkable. He has steered the club away from the brink of relegation, secured European football, and orchestrated a record-breaking run of home victories that culminated in Champions League qualification. This season has seen Jhon Duran's spectacular goal against Bayern Munich, echoing the spirit of Villa's 1982 European Cup triumph. Early successes in the Champions League and a strong start in the Premier League have rekindled a level of excitement not felt by Villa fans in decades.
However, the tide turned after Evanilson's equaliser for Bournemouth at Villa Park. Since then, the club has endured a tough run, losing four consecutive matches—one in the Carabao Cup against Crystal Palace, two in the Premier League against Tottenham and Liverpool, and another in Bruges. During this period, Villa has let in nine goals while managing only four in response. Although it might be premature to talk of systemic problems, Emery is now confronted with fresh challenges as key players return from injury.
The return of Boubacar Kamara from knee ligament issues is a significant boost, particularly with Douglas Luiz's departure to Italy. Tyrone Mings' availability also strengthens the defensive ranks, despite recent team struggles. Emi Buendia's comeback from injury further enhances the attacking midfield options, giving Emery more selection flexibility than he had during the latter part of the previous season.
Jacob Ramsey's return to full fitness is another positive development, though there is some supporter speculation about the absence of Ross Barkley, who has proven to be impactful when given the chance. While Youri Tielemans has impressed this season and Amadou Onana is valued at £50 million, Villa often seems more cohesive with Barkley on the pitch.
Jhon Duran's determination to secure a starting role puts pressure on Ollie Watkins, who has previously faced competition from Danny Ings. Some fans were also critical of the selection of young fringe players for the Carabao Cup tie against Crystal Palace. The likes of Jamaldeen Jimoh, Kadan Young, and Lamare Bogarde were seen as risky picks, especially with Villa needing just two wins to reach the quarter-finals, a chance that was narrowly missed in a 2-1 defeat.
Despite these recent setbacks, Emery retains the full support of the club and has the time needed to address these issues. With four of Villa’s next five matches scheduled to be played at Villa Park, it's too soon to suggest that the wheels have come off. However, some fine-tuning will be necessary in the coming weeks.