The key talking points from Aston Villa’s crushing of Brighton at Villa Park are provided by BirminghamLive.
With a remarkable 6-1 victory over Brighton on Saturday, Aston Villa extended their winning streak to 10 games, the most at home in the English Premier League in 40 years.
The importance of the match against Brighton was discussed with the team, according to Unai Emery, in his pre-game news conference. His players responded brilliantly to Wednesday’s Carabao Cup elimination by Everton. Ollie Watkins grabbed a hat-trick, Boubacar Kamara dominated alongside the commanding Douglas Luiz in the middle of the field, and Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa continued to impress together at the back.
To a man, Villa executed Emery’s game plan to a T, and by winning by a score of 7-2 over Liverpool nearly three years ago, they sent a message to their rivals. Only Brighton has scored more goals than Villa to start the current Premier League campaign, and Watkins, who had gone five games without a goal for the team, has found his scoring touch.
READ | Ollie Watkins gets a hat-trick as Aston Villa defeats Brighton 6-1.
READ | Unai Emery’s Q&A on Aston Villa’s astonishing victory, Watkins, and Southgate
Watkins disproves the critics… Once more, Watkins has now scored 44 Premier League goals for the team, trailing only Gabby Agbonlahor (74) and Dion Dublin (48), who have each scored 60 goals for Villa. Watkins became the first player to score two hat-tricks in a single season in all competitions for the club since Andy Gray in 1976–1977 after giving Villa a 4-1 lead just after the hour mark on Saturday.
Watkins’ lack of goals over a few games can draw criticism from fans, but since Emery took over for Steven Gerrard last year, only Erling Braut Haaland and Mo Salah have registered more goal contributions than him among Premier League players. Watkins has scored at least 10 goals in each of his three complete top-flight seasons, and I fully anticipate him to surpass his 15-goal total from the previous season.
Waktins told the BBC after completing his third hat-trick for Villa: “It’s a terrific result against a quality side in Brighton. Because of how well they play football, they are where they are in the league. It [a hat-trick] won’t be my last, for sure.
“Scoring is an incredible feeling. I become frustrated when I don’t score, which is why I train hard every day. I enjoy running into grass when it is in front of me. Because Moussa [Diaby] is so quick, I firmly believe that we pose a threat throughout the transition.
“We now possess a style of play that enables us to control the game. There are obviously some strings attached to our bow.
Emery gave Watkins a brief training.
Over the past 11 months, Watkins’ game has advanced under Emery and his coaching team. In November, Antonio Rodriguez Saravia became the individual development coach for Villa and joined Emery’s coaching staff.
Watkins has studied players like Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Edinson Cavani, who have played for Emery previously, to aid in his development. More than anything, Emery provides Watkins the assurance he needs to score the goals Villa needs to reach their objectives.
After Watkins scored three goals on Saturday, Emery commented, “I told him that goals are a consequence of his work every day.” “His dedication to the tactical job we must undertake, both in the attacking and defending thirds. His actions are very, truly outstanding.
Then, when we need to attack, he possesses the quality that some matches need for more of than others. He had a fantastic game today, and we assisted him in getting balls into the box. His finishing today was incredible. We are working one-on-one with him, yet he is constantly more motivated to work than we are!
He was available to score because we created numerous opportunities. He also had further opportunities after Douglas Luiz’s goal, going man to man with the goalie. He’ll need a lot of opportunities, and he’ll need to be clinical—sometimes more, sometimes less.
“It’s critical that he keep up his current efforts. At Burnley, he had three excellent scoring chances, but the goalkeeper stopped each one. I advised him to continue acting in the same way, carrying on with his routine, and showing up because chances to score would come your way. The objectives are near.
McGinn offers a sincere evaluation.
John McGinn, the captain, has participated in each game that Villa has played so far this season in every competition. Despite having a strong start to the league season, he and his teammates conceded after the victory over Brighton that they hadn’t been at their best in prior games.
It hasn’t quite clicked for us this season, but everything came together today, according to McGinn. “[The win] is right up there against a superb team,” he added. It’s a fantastic outcome.
“Everything went well, it appeared. We spent a lot of time improving their shape because they are a top side. We simply need to continue doing what we’re doing right now. In my opinion, we were fortunate to beat Chelsea, so we need to strengthen our road performance.
Regarding Watkins’ performance, McGinn continued, “I’m happy for him. He will be encouraged by the fact that the England manager was present. He puts forth a lot of effort for the squad, yet often it goes unappreciated. The whole performance took place today.
Villa comply with Emery’s request
McGinn rarely strays from the lofty bar he sets for himself every single week. What would have most impressed Emery was the team’s attitude and desire to make a statement against Brighton.
Emery explained in his pre-match press conference that his team would need to exert more effort than Brighton in order to have a chance of winning the game.
When we can plan our pressing against the opposition and when we succeed in our duels, we feel better, the man remarked. “We need to adjust tomorrow, and it might be different, but I simply want to get ready for the game and analyze them.
“We need to assert our style and play with individuality. I believe that we need to run and win more duels than they do tomorrow. Additionally, we must be more organized than them. The secret for tomorrow is that
Just days after preparing for a midweek match against Everton, Emery’s game plan was right on, and it’s a testament to his players that they can understand his instructions. Both times, Villa changed their style of play to defeat Roberto De Zerbi’s high-flyers despite the fact that their opponents were considerably different.
Emi Martinez, the goalkeeper, frequently passed longer balls rather than short passes to his center-backs to create from the back as a result of which Villa were more direct in breaking the Brighton press. Brighton failed to defend their defense in transition, which allowed Watkins and Diaby to receive a lot of service down the channels.
Jacob Ramsey makes a strong comeback
By halftime, Villa had a 3-0 lead thanks to a quick start, but they weren’t as aggressive to start the second half. In the 50th minute, Brighton took advantage by cutting the lead in half, and they continued to look for a second goal until Watkins scored Villa’s fourth goal.
After Ansu Fati’s goal for Brighton, Emery looked to Jacob Ramsey to provide his team additional energy and running power in the middle of the field. He had missed the club’s previous four games in all competitions this season due to injury, but he was superb upon his return to play at Villa Park.
The 22-year-old made nine goal contributions in Villa’s final 12 games of the previous season, and despite breaking a metatarsal in July and missing preseason as a result, he has continued his strong play this season with a few impressive cameos off the bench and a jaw-dropping goal in Saturday’s victory. Emi Buendia joined cries of “Jacob Ramsey, he’s one of our own” from a hospitality box in the Doug Ellis Stand after bending the ball past Jason Steele from outside the area to give Villa a 5-1 lead late in the second half.
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