In the unpredictable landscape of the English Premier League, few stories have captivated football fans this season as much as Aston Villa’s meteoric rise.
Under the stewardship of the astute Unai Emery, the Midlands outfit have defied expectations and announced themselves as serious contenders for the Premier League title after an extraordinary start to the season.
They will be hoping that their fairytale run will continue into the business end of the campaign, and the Clarets will take confidence from the fact that they are the favourites in the Villa v Newcastle betting odds for their upcoming clash at Villa Park on January 30.
Before that though, let’s look at Emery’s men's spectacular start to the season.
Emery’s impact
Struggling in the bottom half of the table and looking like a sinking ship under Steven Gerrard, Emery’s arrival at Villa Park last season marked a turning point for the Midlands side.
Inheriting a team that is in danger of relegation is no easy feat, but the former Arsenal boss instilled a new sense of belief and tactical acumen within the squad.
The Clarets went on to finish a respectable seventh last season, showcasing initial signs of improvement under the Spaniard’s guidance.
However, no one could have predicted the remarkable leap that awaited them in the 2023-24 campaign.
Aston Villa’s current standing
That leads us nicely onto our next point, as (at the time of writing), Aston Villa find themselves in an enviable position — currently occupying the second spot in the Premier League table and just three points behind Liverpool.
Their astounding form has seen them accumulate 13 wins, three draws, and just four defeats in their opening 20 games of the 2023-24 season.
What’s more, Aston Villa have been in impressive goal-scoring form in the first half of the season with 43 goals thus far being joint-second-best alongside league leaders Liverpool.
The attack: A potent force
A key factor behind Aston Villa’s sensational surge has been their attacking prowess — led by talisman Ollie Watkins.
The English striker has spearheaded the frontline with incredible efficiency, notching up nine goals and contributing eight assists in 20 appearances.
Watkins’ ability to find the back of the net, combined with his linkup play, has made him one of the first names on the team sheet under Emery.
Midfield mastery: Douglas Luiz and John McGinn
While the attack has been formidable, the engine room of Villa's success lies in the midfield partnership of Douglas Luiz and John McGinn (pictured).
The duo has formed an incredible understanding of each other, providing stability, creativity, and defensive solidity in front of the back four.
Their contribution has been pivotal in dictating the tempo of matches and ensuring a seamless transition between defence and attack.
McGinn has even chipped in with five goals and two assists in 20 games, while Luiz has nine goal contributions in 19 games thanks to six strikes and three assists.
Big game performances
While Aston Villa threw away a 2-0 lead against Manchester United on Boxing Day (ultimately losing 3-2 at Old Trafford), it is incredibly hard to fault their performances in big games this season.
The Clarets proved their worth as title contenders with back-to-back 1-0 wins over last year’s top two, Manchester City and Arsenal, last month — while they have also beaten Chelsea (1-0) and Tottenham Hotspur (2-1) this season.
The Villa renaissance
Aston Villa's incredible start to the 2023-24 Premier League season is nothing short of a renaissance. From the brink of relegation to genuine title contenders, Emery has orchestrated a remarkable transformation.
The Clarets' attacking flair, midfield mastery, and big results have not only surpassed expectations but have set the stage for an enthralling second half of the season. It would be silly not to put Villa in your football acca each week.