Anthony Onifade

Thu 16 November 2023 15:10, UK

Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans could well be climbing back into Unai Emery’s thoughts again after recent performances and his latest for Belgium could well push the Spaniard to unleash him against Tottenham after the break.

The 26-year-old has struggled for game time since joining the Villans on a free transfer in the summer from Leicester City and the 3-1 win over Fulham on Sunday (12 November) was his first Premier League start since.

The midfielder had been highly sought after for a number of years by several big clubs, but Emery persuaded him to make the move to the Villans after their qualification for the Europa Conference League last season.

However, after his struggles early in his career at Villa Park, there were reports that the Belgian had fallen out of favour with Emery already after his limited opportunities.

He made his feelings known about how Emery was utilising him since his arrival from Leicester City in the summer when speaking to the media on international duty [DH les Sports, 8 September].

Football Insider reported on 11 October that the Belgium international may seek to leave Villa Park in January due to a fallout with manager Unai Emery.

Tielemans had played in every single one of Villa’s matches this season but not played for more than 45 minutes in the league since the opening-day defeat at Newcastle, before Sunday’s win.

However, the 26-year-old poured cold water over those rumours with a sublime display against the West Londoners, one which drew frank praise from BBC pundit and Arsenal legend Ian Wright (Match of the Day 2, 12 November):

“McGinn, magnificent captain’s performance today, but Tielemans as well. Obviously, after leaving Leicester in a bit of a cloud, you look at him now he looks fit and we know the quality he’s got.

“I’ve seen a lot in the way he was playing, Tielemans, that I didn’t see at Leicester. It was the energy he had breaking from these positions. He looks very fit, he looks very strong.”

In the clash against Fulham, Tielemans was imperious at both ends of the pitch. He recorded a key pass and created a big chance, had a shot on target, and drew four fouls to ease the pressure on his team and give them set-piece opportunities high up. [Sofascore]

The Belgian also won seven of his 11 attempted duels, with a 100% success rate in the air, making two interceptions and one tackle and he proved to his boss he could provide assistance both going forward and in defence.

The international break may well have come at the wrong time for Tielemans after that sublime display but he’s certainly wowed Emery again with another masterclass for Belgium in their 1-0 win over Serbia on Wednesday night (15 November).

Stand-in captain Yannick Carrasco scored in the second minute as the Red Devils edged Serbia 1-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly in which both countries fielded fringe players with an eye on next year’s European Championship.

And Tielemans was ice-cold once again. As per SofaScore, the midfield maestro successfully completed 83% of his passes, recorded four key passes, created two big chances, won five ground duels, successfully completed two of his three long balls, won three fouls and won two tackles in a complete display.

With the Villans facing off in a crucial and testing clash after the international break against Ange Postecolgou’s Tottenham on 26 November, it would be a major surprise should Emery not unleash him from the off in North London.

His recent displays warrant another opportunity.

In other Aston Villa news, one ace continued his rapid form which was described as the best of his career.