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Premier League team guide: Aston Villa in the spotlight
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Aarron Pullen
LiveScore
Villa boss Dean Smith must do without Jack Grealish this term
Villa boss Dean Smith must do without Jack Grealish this term

Entering their third successive season in the Premier League, Aston Villa will be looking to continue their upward trajectory after finishing 11th last term. 

With Europa Conference League qualification a realistic aim, Villa supporters could be forgiven for harbouring ambitions of trips to far-flung locations next year.

But if they want to be booking those flights, it is imperative the Villans improve their home record and make Villa Park a tough place for opposition sides once more.

John Terry's sudden departure from the coaching staff will also teach us how much of an influence he had in the dugout, particularly as a mentor for centre-backs Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa.

And the loss of influential skipper Jack Grealish is bound to have an impact on Dean Smith's side. 

Last season

Villa came flying out of the blocks last season and boasted a 100% record after four Premier League games, including a standout 7-2 victory against defending champions Liverpool.

Unable to maintain that form, Smith’s troops soon slipped to a comfortable mid-table position — where they ended up staying for the duration of the campaign.

An injury to former skipper Grealish during the second half of the season scuppered any real chance of climbing into the top half.

New faces

Ashley Young enjoyed pushing high up the pitch while playing on the left flank for Inter Milan
Ashley Young enjoyed pushing high up the pitch while playing on the left flank for Inter Milan

The Villans kicked off their summer spending by splashing a club record £38million on two-time Championship winner Emiliano Buendia, 24, from Norwich.

He joined on the back of a hugely successful campaign with the Canaries, which saw him score 15 league goals, provide 17 assists and win the Championship Player of the Season award.

Hot on the heels of winning Serie A with Inter Milan, Ashley Young is another ‘new’ face at Villa Park.

Having made 190 appearances for Villa between 2007 and 2011, the 36-year-old utility man will bring a wealth of experience to what was the Premier League’s youngest team last season.

Buendia and Young are joined by Bayer Leverkusen winger Leon Bailey and Southampton striker Danny Ings, who will give Villa fans hope as they come to terms with the loss of Grealish. 

Jamaica international Bailey, 23, netted 28 goals in 119 Bundesliga appearances for Leverkusen, while Ings, 29, scored 41 and provided nine assists in 91 league outings for the Saints.

The line-up

4-2-3-1: Martinez; Cash, Konsa, Mings, Targett; McGinn, Luiz; Buendia, Bailey, El Ghazi; Ings.

Smith rarely changed his shape throughout 2020-21, only tweaking it when required to a 4-3-3 or 4-5-1.

Building from the back, the defensive duo of Mings and Konsa, along with keeper Emiliano Martinez, are the core of this Villa side.

They will allow the likes of John McGinn, Bailey, Ings and Ollie Watkins to do as they please in the more advanced positions.

Star man: Danny Ings

With local lad Grealish taking the next step in his career with Manchester City, there is a void to be filled at Villa Park. 

When the England midfieler was sidelined from February to May, Villa won just three of the 12 games he missed. 

But Smith still has plenty of talent at his disposal — including former Burnley and Liverpool hitman Ings.

The Villa newcomer hit the target 12 times in 29 league appearances for the Saints and also weighed in with four assists in what proved to be his last season at St Mary's. 

And he should find the net more regularly with the likes of Buendia, Bailey and Anwar El Ghazi providing the ammunition. 

Up-and-comer: Ezri Konsa

Ezri Konsa was a commanding presence at the back for Aston Villa in 2020-21
Ezri Konsa was a commanding presence at the back for Aston Villa in 2020-21

Having racked up 61 Premier League appearances over the last two seasons, Konsa, 23, has experience beyond his years.

In many people's eyes, the former Brentford and Charlton defender has been overlooked when it comes to Gareth Southgate’s England squad. 

He represented the Under-21s on seven occasions but has yet to be handed his debut for the senior side. 

Sitting in the Premier League’s top 20 players for clearances completed (4.45 per 90), he has formed a formidable partnership with Mings and picked up just three yellow cards in 2020-21.

The boss: Dean Smith

Smith, 50, has certainly proved any doubters wrong after taking over in October 2018, with Villa going from strength to strength under his stewardship.

Championship play-off success in May 2019 was followed by Premier League survival in 2019-2020 and an appearance in the Carabao Cup final.

The Villans built on their first season back among the big boys with an impressive 2020-21 campaign and Smith will be determined to ensure his side improve further this term. 

They open with three favourable fixtures against Watford, Newcastle and Brentford, so a good start should certainly be within reach. 

All information correct as of 9pm, August 5, 2021

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Aston VillaPremier LeagueJack Grealish
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