REUTERS/Chris Radburn
Aston Villa finally got their first win on the board before the extended three-week international break, with a 3-2 victory over Tottenham Hotspur.
Much like last season, the Villans have had a slow start to the campaign, failing to win any of their four opening matches and only scoring once before that triumph over Spurs.
It is perhaps not surprising, given the players they lost in the summer transfer window. Morgan Rogers made a £117million move to Chelsea, while Ollie Watkins departed for the Saudi Pro League. And that was not all. Emiliano Martinez also went to Chelsea, Lucas Digne moved on to Paris Saint-Germain, Ezri Konsa left for Arsenal and Youri Tielemans went to Manchester United.
That's six first team stars departing the club in the same window, with fringe stars Donyell Malen and Leon Bailey also moving on.
Villa did bring in a host of new signings, but such upheaval was always going to take time to get to a position of calm within the squad.
Supporters will hope that the victory over Spurs is the start of a change in fortunes for the Villa Park outfit and the international break may have come at a bad time when it comes to momentum.
However, it may also give missing players the opportunity to return to fitness and others the opportunity to get some confidence in their game by performing well for their countries.
New signings can push Villa up the table
REUTERS/Benoit Tessier
And that can be true for at least two players who have yet to make a real impact in Unai Emery's side.
Amongst the signings Villa made this summer were two players at opposite ends of the experience spectrum, but two players, when fit and flying that could have a real impact and potentially transform the club's season.
Leon Goretzka arrived in a deal from Bayern Munich this summer, signing on a free transfer after his contract ended at the Allianz Arena.
The 31-year-old brings with him a wealth of experience and know how in the middle of the park. He is yet to play a minute of football under Emery, having arrived with a knee injury, but he is on the road to recovery and is back in training ahead of a potential return to the field. Goretzka played 31 times for the Bundelisga champions last season, starting 25 of those appearances, showing he has the quality to perform at the highest level still.
One player who has many years ahead of him at the highest level is Ibrahim Mbaye, the 18-year-old star Villa signed from PSG in the summer. Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool were all also linked with the teenage forward in the summer, but it was Villa who got a £47million deal over the line.
Mbaye, whom PSG boss Luis Enrique described as a "quality player", has only got 33 minutes off the bench for Villa so far this season, as he is eased into Premier League action, but he linked up brilliantly with Villa teammate Nicolas Jackson on duty with Senegal this week to score the only goal of the game in the African Cup of Nations qualifying match against Ethiopia.
Mbaye played 30 times for PSG last season, grabbing three goals and two assists in just 1,152 minutes of game time.
Emery has used 21 other players in the Premier League so far this season, but Mbaye and Goretzka could soon come in to the fray and change everything for Villa as they look to move up the table and challenge for the UEFA Champions League once more.