Steven Gerrard did Aston Villa two huge favours in 2022. Well, three, for those inclined to count getting himself sacked given Unai Emery was the eventual, surprise replacement.
Firstly, Gerrard went to Marseille with Villa CEO Christian Purslow and sporting director Johan Lange and was crucial in convincing Boubacar Kamara to join the club in the summer.
“When the coach comes to see you at home, I take this into account,” Kamara, who joined on a free, had said when signing in May. “Especially when it comes from Steven Gerrard, one of the best midfielders in the world in his position, that really impacted my decision.”
Secondly, Gerrard not only helped Villa keep hold of Douglas Luiz amid interest from Arsenal on deadline day, but it was also the week prior to his sacking that the Brazilian midfielder signed a new contract at the club.
Granted, Luiz was also sent off in Gerrard’s last match – a red card that was later rescinded – but these parting gifts from the former Villa manager have laid the foundations for Emery’s impressive start in the Midlands.
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Under Emery, this favoured double pivot has pushed John McGinn out wide in a 4-2-2-2 formation and gives Villa a stability that also allows their full-backs to advance as well.
They had their work cut out against Liverpool on Boxing Day, despite Villa creating enough chances to give Jurgen Klopp’s side a second-half scare, but they brushed off that defeat with a dominant display against Tottenham on New Year’s Day.
Kamara put in the most tackles and ground duels won, with Villa’s official Twitter account calling it a “monsterclass”, a performance that also allowed Luiz to enjoy a greater license going forward. It was Luiz’s long-distance effort that Hugo Lloris spilled for Villa’s first, and he then got on the scoresheet himself after McGinn’s pass carved Spurs’ defence wide open.
“Luiz and Kamara is a good combination because they are understanding better step by step,” Emery said after the match. “To mix both of them is fantastic. Their performance was fantastic to help us to win.”
Wins over Spurs, Brighton and Manchester United in their past four Premier League matches have lifted Villa out of the relegation scrap, and for that to remain the case Emery will want this blossoming relationship to further flourish.
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Nevertheless, Villa look set to start Emiliano Martinez for the first time since his World Cup-winning exploits – “I think he will be ready after his rest,” Emery said – and provided he has recovered from his at times questionable celebrations, then the goalkeeper’s return should go down as a major boost at a time when they are looking at climbing further up the table.
Indeed, Villa look primed to leave the relegation conversation entirely. Victory over Wolves would give them 24 points after 18 games, and given the uncertainty that is unfolding at various clubs below them, it would appear the tight ship that Emery is running has rightly given their fans reasons to be optimistic.
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