Credit: Imago

Max Wilkins

Thu 26 March 2026 7:40, UK

Aston Villa have consistently looked better with Pau Torres starting this season.

The Villans looked to be back to their best against West Ham last time out as John McGinn and Ollie Watkins sealed a 2-0 win.

That sort of performance has been few and far between in recent weeks as Unai Emery’s side have struggled for consistent wins in the Premier League.

The absence of Youri Tielemans and Boubacar Kamara has been blamed for the collapse in results, but there may be more to it.

Torres has been a bit-part player for Villa, but after he featured in the win against the Hammers, he should become a guaranteed starter once again.

Aston Villa are better with Pau Torres starting

There has been plenty of chopping and changing within the back line in claret and blue, but it hasn’t helped anyone.

The Spaniard has been in and out of the side, with Tyrone Mings often featuring ahead of him throughout this campaign.

Torres was given the nod in Villa’s last outing, and it paid off with a routine victory against Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in B6.

That only added to the 29-year-old’s record this season as he sealed his 17th win as a starter for the Villans this campaign.

As per Aston Villa Statto, he has featured from the start 25 times and has contributed to a 68 per cent win rate, losing just seven games while drawing one.

That only showcases how good Torres has been when given the chance, with only Victor Lindelof and Boubacar Kamara having a better Premier League win rate when starting.

Torres certainly showed his worth against West Ham and now needs to keep up that form to make Emery maintain his trust.

How good was Torres vs West Ham?

It’s fair to say that the Irons didn’t really lay a glove on the Villans, but the Spaniard still had to be there to put out any fires.

His true ability is shown with the ball at his feet, and he showcased that with his 94 per cent pass accuracy across his 75 completed passes.

That is only improved by the fact that 18 of those were into the final third, while three of them were accurate long balls at Villa Park.

He also chipped in with five defensive actions, and he won two duels, just to prove that he can defend when necessary.

Emery needs to stand by Torres and realise that Villa are much better when he starts than when he doesn’t.