Aston Villa’s start to the new season has been a tale of inconsistency.
Unai Emery’s side have shown flashes of brilliance but have struggled to sustain form across competitions.
Their first Premier League win didn’t arrive until late September, when they edged Fulham, before following up with a narrow 2–1 victory over Burnley that briefly steadied momentum.
Despite those results, Villa currently sit 13th in the Premier League with a goal difference of -1, underlining their challenge to turn possession and promise into points.
The schedule doesn’t get easier either - a trip to Tottenham Hotspur precedes a midweek test in the Europa League against Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles.
Europe, however, has provided more optimism.
Villa sit third in their Europa League group after victories over Bologna and Feyenoord, showing that Emery’s tactical rotations are working well on the continental stage.
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With fixtures piling up, managing minutes has become crucial, and the Spaniard has already turned to emerging talent to refresh his attack.
Just as Morgan Rogers seized his chance last season, another starlet could be the next player to thrive under Emery’s trust - and his playing style might just remind Villa fans of a certain Jack Grealish.
Grealish & Morgan Rogers’ development at Villa
When Grealish left Villa Park for Manchester City in 2021 on that mammoth £100m deal, he departed as one of the most gifted and unpredictable wide players the club had ever produced.
Now 30, he has enjoyed a career of highs and lows - from winning a historic treble in 2023 to enduring injuries that have limited his game time.
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Last season, he played only 721 minutes, starting seven games and making 13 substitute appearances while missing 17 matches through hip and groin problems.
Statistically, during that peak 2022/23 campaign, Grealish averaged 6.27 progressive carries, 4.39 progressive passes, and 4.55 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, alongside a pass completion rate of 84.1%.
Those numbers reflected a player capable of driving his team forward - someone who combined flair with productivity.
It’s that exact blend that Emery has been seeking to replicate in his current squad.
That search has led to the emergence of Rogers, one of Villa’s most promising recent success stories.
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Signed from Middlesbrough, Rogers was handed opportunities by Emery last season and seized them emphatically.
His ability to glide past defenders and drive through midfield made him a natural fit for Emery’s possession-based system.
In his debut Premier League campaign, Rogers averaged 4.2 successful dribbles per 90 minutes, ranking among the top 10% of wingers in the league for progressive carries and take-ons completed.
Morgan Rogers - 2024/25
Matches Played
Goals
Assists
Progressive Carries
Progressive Passes
Source: FBref
His final third involvement was particularly impressive, with 0.28 assists per 90 minutes and a pass completion rate above 80% in attacking zones = numbers that show both creativity and composure.
But beyond statistics, Rogers brought something intangible: fearlessness.
He thrived when pressed into action, showing the same confidence that once defined a young Grealish.
Now, as Rogers continues to develop, Emery has added another technically gifted wide player to the squad - one who carries the same potential to shift games with one touch or turn.
Why Elliott could be Villa's new Grealish-type player
At just 21 years old, Harvey Elliott arrives at Aston Villa as a player brimming with potential and proven top-flight experience.
Harvey Elliott celebrates for Liverpool
After coming through the ranks at Liverpool, where he made over 50 senior appearances, Elliott developed a reputation as a technical and intelligent winger who thrives between the lines.
His versatility allows him to operate on either flank or as an advanced midfielder - precisely the tactical flexibility Emery values.
Elliott’s first real taste of life at Villa Park came in the Carabao Cup clash with Brentford, where he opened the scoring before Villa were ultimately knocked out on penalties.
Despite the result, his performance was full of intent, pressing aggressively, carrying the ball with purpose, and linking play efficiently.
His statistical profile already mirrors aspects of Grealish’s peak years: a strong ball carrier, quick to release possession in tight areas, and brave in one-on-one duels.
Elliott is also disciplined off the ball, frequently tracking back to support his full-back - an attribute that makes him an Emery-style winger through and through.
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Beyond ability, Elliott possesses the mentality to thrive in a demanding environment, having also been hailed as "so explosive" by England U21 boss, Lee Carsley.
Having experienced the pressures of a Champions League club at Liverpool, he now has the platform to play with freedom and responsibility - something Emery has proven adept at nurturing in young, creative talents.
If given a sustained run of games, Elliott could become a key figure in Villa’s attacking blueprint, bridging the gap between flair and function in the way Grealish once did.
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His energy and enthusiasm have already lifted the tempo of Villa’s play, while his maturity ensures he fits seamlessly into Emery’s disciplined structure.
For Aston Villa, this campaign may still be about finding balance, but the emergence of Elliott offers genuine excitement.
He has the technique, temperament, and tactical awareness to become the next fan favourite — a player capable of unlocking defences and lifting Villa Park off its feet.