Premier League team performance: Aston Villa have a squad for the Top 6, must improve dramatically on last year

Every year there are one or two teams that would like to attack the top 6 in the Premier League. This year it will definitely be Aston Villa, whose squad is worth more than 500 million euros.

The realisation team

When Steven Gerrard took over Aston Villa, although they were deep in the second half of the table, they were still expected to finish the season in better than 14th place. There will be higher expectations from the new season, however, judge for yourself how packed the Villans have their squad.

Goalkeeper

In goal, Villa have one of the most underrated goalkeepers in the world. Emiliano Martinez shone especially in the 2020/21 season, even last year he was one of the very best. Not for nothing does he make the number one for the Argentine national team.

Even the number two is at a decent level, Robin Olsen is still catching for the Swedish national team.

Defenders

On the left side of the defense, the Villans have traded a good one for a better one. They sold Matt Targett to Newcastle and brought in one of the best left backs of the last five years of the PL, Lucas Digne, instead. Great centres, creativity, reliability in defence.

Plenty to choose from in the centre of defence. England international Tyrone Mings will be complemented by Brazilian reinforcement Diego Carlos, Ezri Konsa and Kortney Hause as number three and four stoppers will do. The versatile Calum Chambers may also jump in.

Chambers will also play right-back, but Matty Cash is the clear number one there. Two years ago he transferred from Nottingham and immediately ranked among the best first-team full-backs, this year he got his Polish citizenship to represent.

Midfielders

Gerrard has mostly trusted a midfield without a classic top ten. John McGinn is a typical Scot who doesn’t back down from any fight. At times he plays over the edge, he’s just the type of player you want in your side.

Even Douglas Luiz excels primarily defensively, but he’s Brazilian so he’s valid in attack as well. Jacob Ramsey, the future of the Villans and a mainstay of the England number one, has the most offensive duties.

There are plenty of alternatives if someone doesn’t work out, the only downside is that Marvelous Nakamba, Morgan Sanson and Boubacar Kamara all have defensive strengths. The only offensive-minded footballer is the talent of Carney Chukwuemeka.

Forwards

The three-man attack is made up of sound names. Experienced Brazilian Philippe Coutinho operates on the left wing, while on the other flank another South American, Argentine Emiliano Buendía, has a low centre of gravity and an excellent left foot.

At the tip Gerrard has two TOP options. Ollie Watkins is likely to be the number one, but veteran marksman Danny Ings also has a chance. And if he comes off the bench, he’s an extremely quality sub.

Ideal line-up:

Martinez
Digne – Mings – Carlos – Cash
Diaz – McGinn – Ramsey
Coutinho – Watkins – Buendía

Rankingtip:: 7th place