There is a reason Aston Villa are still active in three competitions in mid-April, and the proof was there in front of our eyes at Southampton.
Unai Emery’s team were clearly dominant throughout, but they’d not been able to pick their way through Saints’ defence for 70 minutes. And in years gone by, it may well have ended in a frustrating goalless draw for Villa.
But Emery is playing with a strong suit of cards. The introduction of Ollie Watkins and Donyell Malen from the bench made a giant difference. It wasn’t just their brilliantly taken goals, but their energy and desire changed the dynamic of Villa’s forward line. That’s the beauty of this situation for Emery as he can now change like for like in attacking areas. That’s not something that’s always been available to him.
Perhaps it’s no surprise then that it was Aston Villa who set a new Premier League record at the weekend. The first team to have three different substitutes score in a single game.
‘By changing nothing, nothing changes’, as the old expression goes. This could yet be a month where everything changes for Villa.
