In mid September, Aston Villa were in trouble. Four Premier League games had brought just one point, one goal and a place in the bottom two. A month later, they are one of the form teams in English football.
The turning point
The revival began with a hard-earned 3-2 win at Tottenham on 19 September, and a 3-2 victory at Club Brugge in their Champions League opener added belief. Then came the night that changed everything: a 6-0 demolition of Fenerbahce at Villa Park on 14 October, the biggest win of Matchday 2 anywhere in Europe.
Grit as well as goals
Good teams win in different ways, and Villa have shown they can do it the hard way too. On 10 October they recovered from an early Brentford goal and led through John McGinn’s strike on 77 minutes, only for Kristoffer Ajer to equalise two minutes later in a 2-2 draw. Then on Saturday they travelled to St James’ Park and won 1-0 at Newcastle United, a result built on discipline and concentration.
Villa’s recent run
- Tottenham 2-3 Aston Villa
- Club Brugge 2-3 Aston Villa (Champions League)
- Aston Villa 2-2 Brentford
- Aston Villa 6-0 Fenerbahce (Champions League)
- Newcastle United 0-1 Aston Villa
The week ahead
Two big tests arrive in quick succession. On Wednesday, 21 October, Villa host Norwegian side Viking in the Champions League, a team that have already shown their danger by holding Bayern Munich to a 3-3 draw. Then on Saturday, 24 October, Villa welcome league leaders Manchester City, who are perfect after seven games. That match kicks off at 2:30pm EAT.
Why City should be wary
Villa Park on a big occasion is one of the most intimidating venues in the country, and Villa now arrive with confidence, goals and a settled defence. City will be favourites, but if anyone is going to end their perfect start, a rejuvenated Villa side is as good a candidate as any.