Aston Villa are somewhat going under the radar this season. Last year, Unai Emery’s side were the talk of the Premier League as they made a somewhat unexpected top four push. Villa are at it again this season, but this time around, their good performances aren’t being noted as much as their brilliance becomes par for the course.
Speaking on the Planet Premier League Podcast, Nedum Onuoha has been discussing Villa’s recent performances and has reserved some special praise for Pau Torres. The pundit hailed Torres, claiming that he is a class player who perhaps doesn’t get the recognition he deserves, highlighting his assist against Bayern Munich as a special moment that didn’t get the spotlight it should have. According to TBR Football, Onuoha had nothing but good things to say about Torres, claiming that Aston Villa would be a completely different team if he didn’t play.
“I think he’s class, such a nice left foot honestly. Even the pass for that Duran goal against Bayern Munich, he made that look so easy that we don’t discuss it as if it was something special. I think he is key; when he’s there it feels like a perfect balance. I love players who always appear calm. If Pau Torres doesn’t play at any point, I think we will see a clear difference,” Onuoha said.
Pau Torres has undoubtedly been one of Villa’s best players this season, but his spot in the starting XI may not be that safe in the near future. Indeed, Tyrone Mings is edging closer to a return to action, and the England international will want his spot back. Mings has expressed his admiration for Torres, stating, “I’ll have to get match sharp again, and I have no doubt I will get back to that level, but I’m a big fan of Pau Torres as well. He’s the player in my position at the moment, but there’s no animosity where I’m thinking am I going to get back into my spot? That’s what a squad is about, that’s how we will evolve as a team.”
Aston Villa are blessed with plenty of solid depth at the back, and who knows? Perhaps Torres will go up yet another level once Mings returns and provides some meaningful competition in that centre-back role.