Aston Villa picked up another big-time victory over the weekend, demolishing Sheffield United 5-0 to secure three more points in their battle for one of the top four spots in the Premier League.
The Lions have been a real force in English football since hiring serial Europa League winner Unai Emery, who helped Villa pip Tottenham for the Conference League spot in the 2022/23 season.
Now, Aston Villa are aspiring for more and are led by some serious talents. Here are their five best players right now in 2024.
5. GK Emiliano Martínez
Although his 66.7 save percentage is well below the standard he set last season when he stopped 74.2 of the shots he’s faced, Emiliano Martínez remains one of the most highly-coveted goalkeepers in the Premier League.
“Dibu” is a leader and key player for Aston Villa, capable of changing games with a stunning stop that only a handful of goalkeepers in world football would be capable of making.
The World Cup hero’s fiery personality draws headlines and controversy, but, on the pitch, his titanic presence and enigmatic nature are assets to his team.
4. CM John McGinn
John McGinn has scored some absolute bangers this season, establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, even if he gets a fraction of the credit he deserves.
The 29-year-old Scottish international has found the back of the net a hefty 6 times with 2 assists, averaging 1.3 key passes and 3.5 combined fouls drawn and dribbles completed per game.
Defensively, McGinn is averaging 1.5 tackles per match, rounding out a legitimately top-class stat line so far in the 2023/24 season. McGinn is appreciated by every Villa supporter.
3. RW Leon Bailey
Former Bayer Leverkusen man Leon Bailey isn’t in the shadow of another big winger signing from Leverkusen this past summer, Moussa Diaby. Actually, Bailey has raised his game further and is still outperforming the young French sensation.
Bailey has scored 7 goals with 6 assists, averaging 1.3 key passes and 1.3 dribbles completed per game to entrench himself as one of the best wingers in the entire Premier League.
2. DM Douglas Luiz
There’s a reason why Arsenal, Barcelona, and other top clubs at the Champions League level have shown interest in Douglas Luiz, and there’s a reason why Luiz is one of stars of a team with their own legitimate UCL hopes.
Luiz brings it all to the table for Villa in an even more profound manner than McGinn in midfield. The Brazilian star has notched 10 total goal contributions with over 2.5 combined tackles and interceptions per game.
His all-around impact on the game as a legitimate difference-maker in the final third and defensive stalwart is incredibly rare to find. Aston Villa won’t part with Luiz easily.
1. ST Ollie Watkins
As brilliant as Luiz is, there’s no question that Ollie Watkins has been Villa’s best player in the 2023/24 season and one of the best players in the Premier League, leading the charge for a Champions League berth.
Watkins has 11 goals and 10 assists, asserting himself as one of the best all-around strikers in European football right now. The 28-year-old creator is blooming under Unai Emery, working perfectly with the likes of Diaby and Bailey up top.
It feels like everything Watkins touches with his boot turns to gold. He is on a tear.
The managing editor of The Trivela Effect, Kevin has 15 years of experience in digital media. He has been an editor for NFL Spin Zone, Daily DDT for pro wrestling, Autzen Zoo covering the Oregon Ducks, Musket Fire covering the New England Patriots, The Real Champs covering Real Madrid, Old Juve covering Juventus, Rush The Kop covering Liverpool, and Release The Knappen covering Schalke. His work has been featured in ESPN, Bleacher Report, Yahoo! Sports, NBC Sports, and other outlets. You can contact him at the site’s official Twitter handle @TrivelaEffect or via the site’s official email thetrivelaeffect@gmail.com.