Mark Smith

Thu 12 October 2023 17:10, UK

Aston Villa have enjoyed a turbulent but successful start to the 2023/24 season with Unai Emery still likely pushing for more from his squad.

The Villans currently sit fifth in the Premier League with big wins over the likes of Brighton and a couple of defeats, finishing the last period with a 1-1 draw at Wolves.

Despite that, Emery will not be happy with his side crashing out of the Carabao Cup against Everton and only sitting third in their Europa Conference League group.

Villa News has rated those who have played five or more times out of 10 below…

Emi Martinez – 8

What more can you say about the big Argentine other than sensational whenever he plays? The last couple of years have seen him catapulted to the very top, winning the World Cup and pushing Villa to new heights, which has only continued.

Matty Cash – 9

The Polish international has really made the right-back spot his own with a new attacking vision taking his games to new heights. Only Ollie Watkins and Moussa Diaby are attempting more shots per game in the Premier League at the minute [2], with his double against Burnley the highlight for sure [WhoScored].

Lucas Digne – 7

With Alex Moreno injured and the potential chance to exit the club over the summer, Digne has quickly proven his worth with some solid displays across all competitions. Despite being known for his attacking traits, it has been his defending that has caught the eye, recovering the ball 4.8 times per game so far this season [SofaScore]. One area for improvement though, would be his crossing, with only 27% of them finding their targets.

Pau Torres – 5

It has been a hot and cold season from the new signing so far. No defender has completed fewer tackles or interceptions per game, but his goal against Wolves will hopefully spark the fire for him to return from the break with a bang.

Diego Carlos – 6

The Brazilian has brought along his possession-based style from Spain, and it has worked for him, completing 87% of passes, and 91% success in his own half to build attacks. An area he could improve is in the air, only winning 40% of his aerial duels, something which may be targeted soon [Sofa Score].

Ezri Konsa – 7

It was a big season for Konsa, but as soon as Tyrone Mings picked up his serious injury, it became even bigger. Having been at the heart of the side for a prolonged time now, he has stepped up with ease and starting to command those around him, long may that continue.

Boubacar Kamara – 8

This may be one of the best free transfers that has been completed in a long time, not just at Villa, but in the Premier League. Coming off the back of a big injury, Kamara has settled back in perfectly and proven his worth once again with the likes of Luiz around him benefitting too.

John McGinn – 7

The man, the myth, the legend. McGinn popped up with the winner against Zrinjski last time out in Europe, and has been his energetic self as always in all thirds. The Scotsman has recovered the ball 3.8 times per game so far, but has lost possession 9.1 times on average, so he could be tidier in his play, that will be the goal [SofaScore].

Douglas Luiz – 9

Luiz has been sensational. The 25-year-old has averaged 2.3 tackles per game, but also 3.9 long balls and 2 shots per game [WhoScored] as he shines in literally every area of the pitch. If the South American continues down this path, he will easily smash past his own goal record in his career.

Youri Tielemans – 2

The Belgian came with big expectations following his free move from Leicester, but he has failed to live up to those spectacularly so far. Starting zero games in the Premier League but coming off the bench eight times, he is simply not doing enough. The 26-year-old simply does not affect games like Luiz and Kamara do, winning only 46% of his duels and losing possession 2.4 times per game despite limited minutes [SofaScore].

Nicolo Zaniolo – 5

The towering Italian has looked promising at times but has nothing to show for his efforts so far at all, with zero goals or assists. No one in the Villa squad has been dispossessed more times per game in the Premier League [2.2], and finding that cutting edge is certainly needed after the break.

Leon Bailey – 6

Bailey will want more consistency in his game, but also his place in the Aston Villa team, only starting two Premier League games so far, but that is up to him to prove. As we have seen before, the Jamaican can go through a hot streak, but then disappear easily, and it is down to him to change that moving forward.

Moussa Diaby – 8

This has been a brilliant signing so far from Aston Villa, with the Frenchman scoring twice and picking up three assists in the inverted winger role. Emery will be nervous across this international break though, with a potential injury to worry about.

Ollie Watkins – 9

Wow, what a season it has been so far and it has been topped off with this latest call-up to the England squad. His four goals and four assists prove that he has added to his game, with his 3.1 shots per game proving that he is as dangerous as ever in the final third [WhoScored]. On top of his scoring though, no one in the Villa squad has completed more key passes per game so far [2], impressive as the vocal point.

Jhon Duran – 6

The young Colombian has a lot expected of him and is essentially the only cover for Watkins should something go wrong. Despite only averaging 0.8 shots per game in the Premier League, he has scored twice [WhoScored] so there are some positive signs to build off.

In other Aston Villa news, a zero-tackle Villa star may face a ruthless Emery axe after what he did against Wolves