Aston Villa are a club that has a chance of making the 2025/26 campaign one to remember, with the side looking hugely competitive in a number of competitions.
Unai Emery’s side may have stuttered in the Premier League over recent weeks, but they remain in an excellent position to secure another season of Champions League football.
The Villans currently sit in fourth place with just ten games remaining this campaign, with their ability to return to Europe’s top competition firmly in their own hands.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery looks on
The Spaniard could certainly mastermind yet another European triumph for the club come the end of May, with the Villans now in the quarter-final and preparing to face Italian side, Bologna.
However, if his side are to write a new history for themselves, the manager must continue to utilise one player who caught the eye against Lille on Thursday night.
The impact of Jadon Sancho for Villa against Lille
After joining on loan from Manchester United during the summer transfer window, winger Jadon Sancho was a player who had huge expectations placed upon him at Villa.
However, it’s safe to say the 25-year-old has struggled to provide the goods in the Premier League, as seen by his tally of no goals scored and just one assist registered.
jadon-sancho-aston-villa
Despite his struggles, the Englishman was handed a chance to start against Lille in the Europa League on Thursday night - subsequently taking the opportunity with both hands.
Sancho registered the assist for John McGinn’s effort in the second half, taking down the ball beautifully from Emi Martinez, before teeing up the Scotsman for the opener.
He also registered two chances for his teammates at Villa Park - the most of any player on the pitch - whilst also completing 86% of the passes he attempted.
The attacker’s impressive showing was also evident without the ball, as seen by his tally of 100% tackles won and six ball recoveries made - something which he’s failed to do once before Thursday’s win.
The Villa star who should never start under Emery again
Villa’s success in the Premier League over the last couple of years has no doubt been aided by their heavy spending, with the hierarchy breaking the transfer record on numerous occasions.
However, not all the investments made have been spent wisely, as seen by the £30m addition of winger Leon Bailey back in the summer transfer window of 2021.
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The Jamaican international has now made 156 appearances for the Villans since his transfer, but has only managed to score 22 times - an average of once every seven matches.
He’s also only managed to register a single assist since his return from his loan at AS Roma, subsequently highlighting the struggle he’s endured in the final third.
Leon Bailey for Aston Villa-1
Bailey isn’t the only player who’s struggled to live up to expectations in the West Midlands, with fellow winger Emi Buendia also unable to provide the quality the fans expected.
The Argentine joined the club for a club-record £33m from Norwich City back in the summer of 2021, with the hope of transforming the club’s attacking department.
Like Bailey, he’s been unable to provide success on a constant basis - as seen by his measly tally of 17 goals within his 139 appearances over the last five years.
Teeing up his teammates has also been a struggle for the 29-year-old in recent times, with Buendia only registering 15 assists during such a period in the West Midlands.
Emiliano-Buendia
However, Emery has continued to show faith in the attacker in recent months, subsequently racking up 18 starts in the top-flight - even starting the latest league defeat to Manchester United.
He featured for 86 minutes of the defeat against the Red Devils, subsequently being unable to create a single chance for his teammates and only registering a solitary shot on goal.
Emi Buendia - stats against Man Utd
Statistics
Minutes played
Touches
Pass accuracy
Shots taken
Chances created
Dribbles completed
Duels won
Fouls committed
Buendia also managed to complete just 33% of the dribbles he attempted at Old Trafford, whilst coming out on top in just 60% of the ground duels he entered.
There’s no denying such a showing was miles below what’s expected for a club chasing Champions League football, with Emery needing to take evasive action.
Buendia
It’s clear he’s no longer at the level required for success in the Premier League, with the manager needing to look elsewhere for quality in attacking areas.
Sancho’s display against Lille on Thursday night certainly provided just that for the fans, with his display against the Ligue 1 outfit deserving of a run of starts in the Premier League.
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