Aston Villa did more than just earn three points against Wolves on Saturday afternoon, as the Villans became only the second team in the Premier League to achieve one thing this season.
Following on from their 4-0 defeat to Tottenham last time Aston Villa featured at home in the Premier League, it was crucial that Unai Emery’s side redeemed themselves against Wolves.
The Villans secured a 2-0 victory over their Midlands rivals on Saturday evening, reclaiming fourth place from Spurs, who momentarily leapfrogged Villa in the table.
Moussa Diaby returned to the starting XI to great effect, scoring the opener and assisting Ezri Konsa to showcase his talents once more to Emery.
The Frenchman’s goal contributions not only determined the direction of the points but saw the Villans become only the second club to achieve one thing in the Premier League this season.
What Aston Villa achieved during their win over Wolves
Diaby’s goal was his fifth in the Premier League this campaign, with his assist counting for his seventh of the 2023/24 calendar.
While the two contributions are valuable for the 24-year-old’s confidence after spending some time away from the starting lineup, his goal in particular stood for something more.
By scoring his fifth of the season, Aston Villa joined Manchester City in becoming the only two teams in the Premier League to have four players with five or more goals and five or more assists in the competition.
Diaby joined Ollie Watkins, Leon Bailey and Douglas Luiz to make up Villa’s four, with only the treble winners having a squad capable of completing such a feat this early.
Arsenal are narrowly behind with three players, with Liverpool beneath the Gunners with two, resonating just how much of an achievement the milestone is for the Villans.
Aston Villa’s milestone shows the development under Unai Emery
To have four players capable of achieving over 10 goal contributions through both goals and assists is a significant step in the story of Villa’s progression.
The numbers of Bailey and Watkins showcase a rise in performance in all aspects of their games, while the consistency of Luiz shines through when it comes to his achievement.
For Diaby, the Frenchman has found his feet once more under Emery after struggling to get himself back in the side, with his form now coming at a crucial time in the season.
Overall, the manager has promoted a higher level of performance at Villa Park to enable his squad to hit the levels of Manchester City in terms of their contribution to goals, with a lot of Villa’s story under Emery still to be told.
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