Aston Villa mentality problem on show as player’s expletive comment highlights real issue
Aston Villa continue to struggle with their recent form, and their own mentality represents a problem.
Villa could only manage to snatch a point against Leeds United on Saturday, with Tammy Abraham coming to the rescue in B6.
That has made it one win in five games across all competitions for Unai Emery’s side, with their only three Premier League points since 25 January coming in a late win against Brighton.
The Villans are lucky to still be third in the table, with performances at Villa Park not looking like improving any time soon.
The results of sides around them have done the claret and blue outfit a favour, and it is that fact which is causing problems in the Midlands.
Aston Villa player makes expletive Chelsea remark
The B6 outfit managed to come back from behind and steal a point against Daniel Farke’s side after Anton Stach’s superb opener.
Abraham’s improvised finish pushed his side onto 51 points from 27 games, a tally which would have been just four ahead of Chelsea.
That was until Burnley netted a last-gasp winner away at Stamford Bridge as Zian Flemming headed home from a James Ward-Prowse corner.
The Dutchman pegged the Blues back to 45 points, which is now six behind Villa in the race to secure a top-six finish.
As positive as that may be for the Villans, it doesn’t excuse the actions of one Villa player on the pitch to show their feelings.
Express and Star journalist Matt Maher reported via X on Monday that one senior player remarked “thank **** for Burnley” after the full-time whistle.
As funny as that may be to some, it highlights a mentality issue that could hamper Villa across the rest of the season in all facets.
Aston Villa mentality problem on show at Villa Park
There is a fear that even with Emery in charge, Villa could go without winning silverware for yet another season.
The Villans haven’t secured a major honour in 29 years and will be really keen to rid that hoodoo this campaign.
The Europa League poses a superb chance to do exactly that, but performing badly and being thankful for other teams’ misfortunes won’t win trophies.
Winners go out, secure victory and don’t have to worry about anyone else, but for some reason it is ingrained in Villa to hope that other sides will do them a favour.
It was the same in the 2023/24 season, where Tottenham’s defeat against Manchester City ultimately secured Champions League qualification after results dropped off in B6.
Villa may have been improved this season, but their winning mentality in big moments still represents a serious concern.
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