Aston Villa scored their first goal of the season at Brentford on Tuesday night, but remain winless after five games
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.
Aston Villa lost on penalties to Brentford in the Carabao Cup
Aston Villa lost on penalties to Brentford in the Carabao Cup(Image: Andrew Fosker/Shutterstock)
“Have you ever, have you ever, have you ever scored a goal?” taunted the Brentford fans, shortly before Harvey Elliott opened his Aston Villa account and ended the club’s long goal drought.
But it was the Bees who had the last laugh, dumping Unai Emery’s side out of the Carabao Cup in the third round - a defeat that only deepened Villa’s dismal start to the season.
Villa have now failed twice to beat a Brentford squad that lost key figures over the summer - Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, Christian Nørgaard, Mark Flekken, and most significantly, Thomas Frank.
New boss Keith Andrews made 10 changes to the team for Tuesday night’s game, while Emery made seven, yet still fielded a strong side.
Among the starters were Jadon Sancho and Elliott. Sancho also had a chance to score on his full debut but was denied by the woodwork after Evann Guessand pulled the ball across goal.
Aaron Hickey punished the miss with a stunning volley at the other end. Brentford’s clinical touch continued into the penalty shoot-out, converting all four of their spot-kicks, while John McGinn and Matty Cash missed for Villa.
There’s no dressing up Villa’s start to the season. A result - and performance - is desperately needed at Sunderland on Sunday, ahead of three home matches in the next four, against Bologna, Fulham, and Burnley.
So, after five games of the new season, no wins, and only one goal scored - what exactly has gone wrong at Villa?
A refresh that didn't happen
A refresh was badly needed over the summer because Villa have become stale. There are reasons for that, but the primary one is clear: there hasn't been enough quality added to the squad.
Financial restrictions haven’t helped, limiting Villa to free transfers and loan deals by deadline day.
It was a similar story last winter when Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio, and Axel Disasi were brought in on loan. Rashford and Asensio both reinvigorated Villa’s form, pushing the club to the brink of a Champions League return.
It’s harder to see Villa’s summer arrivals having a similar impact. Sancho lacks match fitness, and Guessand - while physically capable - needs time to adapt to Premier League football.
Signings not in the team
Despite financial restrictions, Villa have spent around £160 million since summer 2024 on talent for Emery's first-team squad, unlike the likes of Lewis Dobbin or Samuel Iling-Junior.
Yet Ian Maatsen, Amadou Onana, and Donyell Malen have all struggled to hold down starting spots.
Onana hasn’t been able to stay fit, while Maatsen - despite also showing promise - often rotates with Lucas Digne. With £85 million tied up in those two players, Villa can’t afford for either to be on the fringes.
Yes, Villa need depth and two quality players per position, but the point remains: some of their recent recruits haven’t had the desired impact. Onana and Maatsen are still young and hungry - but Villa must ensure every million they spend counts.
That’s why the Malen signing is increasingly puzzling. He made his fifth start on Tuesday, playing as a No. 9 in place of Ollie Watkins, but only managed three touches in the opposition box.
With little service, he had limited chances to impress - but it also appears Emery still hasn’t figured out how to use him effectively, if at all. Ahead of facing Crystal Palace earlier this season, Emery was asked about Malen’s lack of starts since the beginning of the year.
“Sometimes I am not being fair with some players,” he admitted. “When you have 20 players and different options in different positions, sometimes you’re not fair with everybody.
“Especially Malen, I am happy with him. I am happy with him, and he can play in the starting XI. He can also play in various roles, as a right winger or a striker. He has some qualities that are very, very important for us. Sometimes, he can perform well either in the starting XI or as a substitute.
“I know every player wants to start, and even last year, when some players weren’t available, he played in the starting XI or off the bench. He always showed his capacity to help the team, and now it is the same. He didn’t start the first two matches, but maybe on Sunday, he will have the chance to start. Hopefully, he will perform well and, as well, achieve our collective objective and his individual targets.”
Of the 14 players who made more than 10 Premier League starts last season, only four were signed during Emery’s tenure. That lack of turnover - and tactical evolution - is making Villa predictable.
Emery needs full buy-in from his players
That sense of predictability might be seeping into the dressing room, too.
There’s no questioning Emery’s tactical genius. His meticulous approach has helped Villa achieve what similarly-budgeted clubs haven’t - consistently breaking into the top six.
But when results dry up, players may struggle to maintain the razor-sharp focus Emery demands.
He needs 100% buy-in - and he’s had it for most of his reign. But with confidence drained and results lacking, Emery now faces a different kind of test.
His man-management will be crucial in the coming weeks, as he tries to rally a squad still coming to terms with such a poor start - especially considering much of it was assembled by previous managers.
If you don’t improve, you go backwards
Villa can’t spend recklessly. They can’t afford market mistakes. They also can’t simply splash cash to fix issues, unlike rivals.
Clubs like Manchester United are spending £200 million on new forwards like Mbeumo, Benjamin Šeško, and Matheus Cunha.
Villa, meanwhile, couldn’t spend even after selling homegrown star Jacob Ramsey for £40 million.
That’s the harsh reality. In a league where rivals are improving rapidly, standing still - or making missteps - means going backwards.
For that reason, it wouldn’t be fair to overly criticise Villa’s business, given the financial restraints they’re under - especially when their rivals for top-six positions are afforded the freedom to spend hundreds of millions without repercussions.
It is, however, still an obvious reason why Villa’s level has dropped in comparison to other sides.
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