12 home wins in a row as Villa push Luton to one side
Aston Villa played host to newly promoted Luton Town in the Premier League as they looked to make it 12 consecutive home wins in the Premier League.
The media have started to sit up and take note of the work Unai Emery has done since his arrival a little over a year ago. Some would say long overdue while I am quite happy to continue going under the radar.
Villa has a week’s rest following a busy few weeks because they were knocked out of the EFL Cup earlier this season so it allowed Emery to pick his strongest eleven on the day.
Report: Aston Villa 3-1 Luton Town
Villa who are high in confidence took control of the game from the off and could have easily taken the lead early on when Ollie Watkins flicked the ball on for Nicolò Zaniolo but he could only fire his effort wide of the goal.
Watkins then had a chance himself just after the 10-minute mark but a double save from Thomas Kaminski prevented a goal for the England International.
The gulf between the two clubs was clear. Luton came with a game plan. To sit deep and try to counter-attack Villa. Something they may have found success with in the past but this is an Unai Emery Aston Villa, they are a different opposition altogether.
The home side did break the deadlock after 17 minutes. Villa were awarded a free-kick on the left-hand side of the opposition box. Douglas Luiz stepped up, he picked out John McGinn who twisted and turned before unleashing a shot with his right foot that nestled into the left-hand corner. A free-kick from the Austin McPhee handbook!
Luton failed to make any real impact in the first half as Emery’s side managed the game comfortably.
Leon Bailey, who may have felt unlucky not to start following his performance in the Netherlands in mid-week was introduced at half-time for Zaniolo.
A tactical tweak that enabled Villa to double their lead. Bailey picked out Moussa Diaby and the French man struck a sweet half volley on 49 minutes.
Just after the hour mark, Villa made it three. A relatively simple ball over the top found Diaby who crossed the ball and was turned into his net by Tom Lockyear.
Luton did get one back through a Villa mistake much to the annoyance of goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. Ezri Konsa headed back towards his own goal, the ball hit the crossbar, off the back of the goalkeeper and into the net.
Based on that performance, it is hard to see how Luton picks up enough points to survive this season. Their counter-attack style may see some sides come undone throughout the season but more will be required for survival.
What the managers said
Unai Emery: “We are winning matches because we are being very focused, we are being very demanding in our defensive structure, we are trying to build a team with high commitment.
“We are between another seven teams, they show their power consistently. But if we are working like that and doing this process, being demanding, being strong, of course, we can progress and still keep the moment we have now in the table.
“I want to face each match being focused, preparing properly and being demanding.
“We have played Liverpool and Newcastle and they were better than us. When we lost against Liverpool and Newcastle, I told the players I want to reduce the distance they showed when they come here.
“There is still a lot of work to do and still a lot of things we can improve.
“Tactically, try to be more consistent for 90 minutes. I am very happy but I think there are things that can improve.”
Rob Edwards: “Let’s be honest, today was a difficult afternoon for us. There is a gulf between the two teams, at the moment Aston Villa are an exceptional team, in a great moment, confident, brilliant manager and very good players. At 3-0 down with 30 minutes to go I’m on the touchline thinking, ‘This is difficult’.
“I’m really pleased with how the players stayed in it, stayed committed, that was important. It’s important the fans can see we never ever give in and stick at it.
“It was a difficult afternoon but proud of how we stuck to the task.
“Today wasn’t going to define us, we know that, we are in a different battle to Aston Villa at the moment, there is a difference in the teams, but we have to learn from it.
“I want to make us better and me better.”
Up Next
Aston Villa will take on Nottingham Forest next Sunday at 2.00pm at the City Ground.
Luton will host Liverpool on the same day at 4.30pm.