Our dedicated Aston Villa reporter is always on the pulse of all things claret and blue, from major talking points to transfer news to match action, John Townley will bring you the very latest from Bodymoor Heath and Villa Park.
Emi Martinez and Evann Guessand
Emi Martinez and Evann Guessand(Image: Getty Images)
Aston Villa failed to get their season off the ground following the September international break, settling for a goalless draw against Everton.
The 0-0 result means Villa remain both winless and goalless after four league games, sitting in the bottom two after the opening month of the campaign.
Everton had the better chances in the first half and finished stronger as well, while Villa struggled to create much resembling a real goalscoring opportunity.
Here are the key talking points from the draw...
Martinez responds perfectly
It was a messy end to the summer transfer window for Emi Martínez, but he responded in the best possible way against Everton - by keeping a clean sheet.
Without his standout performance, Villa would likely have suffered a third straight league defeat.
He denied Beto early on by clawing a header off the line, then blocked Jack Grealish’s deflected effort from inside the box. In the second half, the Argentina No. 1 tipped Michael Keane’s header over the bar as Grealish sent in a teasing cross.
Martínez was determined not to be beaten at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on his return to the starting XI.
He was left out of the squad against Crystal Palace before the break, with manager Emery believing his head wasn’t in the right place amid transfer interest from Manchester United. Martínez was reportedly keen on a deadline day move to Old Trafford, but United opted to pursue Senne Lammens instead.
After all the deadline-day drama, Martínez now appears fully focused on the job at hand - and the objectives he has with Villa this season.
He was the last player off the pitch on Saturday, spending time applauding the travelling Villa fans. He tapped the club crest on his chest and blew kisses to the supporters before heading down the tunnel.
Rogers and Watkins struggling early on
Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers were two of Villa’s most influential players last season, finishing as the club’s top two goal contributors in all competitions. Watkins registered 31 goal involvements, while Rogers added 27.
But with Villa yet to score this season, fans will be looking to the pair to reignite the attack.
Rogers has fallen well short of last season’s standards. Despite an impressive showing for England in Serbia earlier this week, he struggled against Everton. His final ball was lacking when he did get possession - a rare occurrence - as he recorded the fewest touches (40) of any outfield player to play the full 90 minutes.
He completed just 14 of 21 passes and won only one of nine ground duels.
Watkins, meanwhile, received little to no service - hardly ideal for a striker trying to find form after a slow start. Villa’s only clear chance this season came when John McGinn found Watkins from deep against Crystal Palace, but the striker failed to convert before half-time in that 3-0 defeat.
Villa's goalscoring woes continue
Villa have now failed to score in their opening four league games for the first time in their history. They become just the fifth Premier League side to do so, after: Sheffield Wednesday (1993–94), Newcastle United (2005–06), Swansea City (2011–12) and Crystal Palace (2017–18)
Villa’s last league goal came 120 days ago against Tottenham, courtesy of Boubacar Kamara. They have now failed to score in five consecutive Premier League games - their longest drought since a six-game run between December 2014 and February 2015.
“Tough match,” Matty Cash admitted to Sky Sports after full-time. “We had a few chances to win the game. They had a few as well. A clean sheet is a positive, but we want to pick up points and win games.
"We were solid today - maybe more solid than we’ve been in recent weeks. It is tough. We want to score. The forwards want to score. You’ve seen the quality over the last few seasons—the goals we’ve scored and the chances we’ve created.”
Changes for Brentford trip
Villa will now turn their attention to the Carabao Cup, with a trip to Sunderland taking on added significance following the poor start in the league.
The cup tie offers Emery an opportunity to rotate the squad, perhaps giving chances to younger players.
With a growing midfield injury crisis - Youri Tielemans the latest casualty - George Hemmings could get a look-in.
But it’s the forward line that desperately needs a confidence boost. And just in case anyone needed reminding: goals win games.
Watkins and Rogers may be rested on Tuesday night. If so, Evann Guessand, Harvey Elliott, Donyell Malen, and Jadon Sancho could all stake their claim to start at the Stadium of Light next weekend.
All four were on the bench against Everton but will be hoping not only to feature against Brentford, but to make an impression on Emery as well.
Claret & Blue verdict
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