How quickly things can change in the ‘beautiful’ modern game of football, two and a half odd years ago former European Cup winners Aston Villa looked set to be destined for the drop back to the Championship under manager Steven Gerrard, but then Unai Emery arrived in very late October.
With almost three months wasted in the 2022/23 campaign, Villa rallied in phenomenal fashion and the same set of players ended the season in seventh place in the table having picked up a points haul that was only bettered by Manchester City, Arsenal, Manchester United and Liverpool and they booked a return to European football.
With league records tumbling, they reached their first European semi final (Europa Conference League) since 1982 and although they didn’t progress to the final, their league campaign that year saw them finish in fourth place in the table, with the reward of a place in the Champions League.
The 2024/25 campaign has been a little bit more difficult for them as they juggle financially bolstering the squad, with the added European fixtures, but as we head into mid-April they are in seventh place on 48 points with the top spots within their grasp again – oh and they have a Champions League quarter final against Paris Saint-Germain to look forward to, as well as an FA Cup semi final clash with Crystal Palace as well.
With progression available to them back in January they bucked the trend to push the boat out during the transfer window with a few changes, and perhaps most notably the arrivals of Marcus Rashford on a loan spell with a reported buy clause included, and Marco Asensio also on loan.
Looking back to the Brighton victory, their second half goals all came from players who arrived in the New Year and despite performance issues in the first half of the year, they very much look like they have found a second wind and they are stronger and more clinical (in part thanks to their additions) now we are in the second half of the campaign and really into the business end of the season.
Rashford and Asensio’s experience has been a huge boost to them and both have already become instrumental and key parts of the team, helping to bring the best out of others whilst providing a threat they simply did not have previously.
Rashford has been recalled to the England set up given his goals and assists, and Asensio’s impact has been even greater with eight goals scored from four starts (ten appearances).
For those who felt Villa had gambled, Villa would say the odds are now back in their favour – relegation favourites to a Champions League quarter final in under three years should not be sniffed at.