Unai Emery led Aston Villa to what will go down as one of their most successful seasons in recent history as they achieved a remarkable fourth-place finish in the Premier League, their highest since the 1995/1996 season.
Villa beat Tottenham Hotspur to a top four finish to secure a spot in the Champions League ahead of next season. The Villans will be banking on their experience from this season’s Europa Conference League semifinal run to navigate UCL waters next campaign.
Soccernet.football has ranked some of Aston Villa’s outstanding players based on their performances and impacts on the team’s remarkable season.
5. Emiliano Martinez
The Argentina World Cup hero played a key role in Villa’s brilliant start to the season, proving to be a reliable and sturdy presence between the sticks and providing a solid foundation for the Villans to build from.
Martinez was a leader and important player for Aston Villa this season, his ability to change games with stunning saves was evident in Villa’s match against Manchester City early in the season when he made an excellent double save to thwart Haaland with the Villans going on to snatch a big 1-0 win.
4. Douglas Luiz
The Brazilian was no doubt one of the stars of Unai Emery’s setup, contributing significantly to every aspect of Villa’s game from his position in the middle of the park.
Luiz displayed an exceptional ability to influence games, both as a decisive force in attack and as a stalwart in defense.
The 26-year-old midfielder contributed in attack with 9 goals and 5 assists in 35 Premier League appearances for the Villans this season.
3. Leon Bailey
Bailey was very important for Aston Villa this season, undeterred by the arrival of Moussa Diaby last summer, the Jamaican elevated his levels and attacking output, staking a claim for himself as one of the best wingers in the Premier League.
Bailey was initially used as an impact substitute for Villa this season, but his captivating performances off the bench eventually earned him a place in the starting eleven as the Villans went on to seal Champions League qualification.
The 26-year-old Jamaica international scored 10 goals and provided 9 assists in 35 Premier League matches this season, 13 of which he made substitute appearances.
2. John McGinn
The Villa skipper had a brilliant season for the Villans, enjoying the freedom to play given to him by his manager and rewarding Emery’s faith with goals, assists and impressive displays.
McGinn established himself as Villa’s source of inspiration this season, taking responsibility all over the pitch, whether by making an extra sprint to close down a defender or driving his team forward.
The Scotland international set the tone for Aston Villa both in and out of possession, contributing 6 goals and 4 assists across 35 Premier League appearances.
1. Ollie Watkins
Watkins played a starring role in Aston Villa’s incredible Premier League season and led from the front as the Villans charged to a fourth-place finish and secured Champions League qualification.
The England international striker had a sensational season in front of goal, tallying impressive numbers for both goals and assists and establishing himself as one of the best all-round strikers in Europe.
The 28-year-old center-forward notched 19 goals, the joint-most by a Villa player in a single season and provided a league-high 13 assists to win the Premier League Playmaker of the Season award.