What must Aston Villa do to end their worst run under Unai Emery? | OneFootball

Aston Villa's winless skid has reached eight matches across all competitions, raising serious concerns among football experts and supporters alike. The team's latest disappointment came in the form of a 3-0 loss at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea, pushing Unai Emery's squad into a position that requires quick and effective solutions to halt their declining form.

Defence in disarray

Villa's defensive statistics reveal a sharp decline in performance compared to last season. The team's clean sheet percentage has plummeted from 36% to just 7.7%, while their Premier League defensive ranking has dropped to 14th after conceding 21 goals this campaign.

The fan base has grown increasingly vocal about reinstating the proven partnership of Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa at the heart of defence. Meanwhile, summer recruit Pau Torres faces ongoing challenges adapting to the Premier League's unique demands, particularly its speed and physical nature.

Strategic setbacks

Opposing teams have discovered effective methods to counter Villa's playing approach. Rather than applying high pressure, teams now opt for a more conservative stance, forcing Villa to make risky passes or rely extensively on their full-backs for attacking momentum.

The team often finds themselves trailing early in matches, compelling them to abandon their planned tactical setup in pursuit of equalisers. This predictability in their game plan has left them exposed to opponents who readily capitalise on defensive gaps.

Squad management issues

The combined pressure of Premier League and Champions League fixtures has placed enormous strain on the squad. Former Villa manager Martin O'Neill recently pointed out that both mental and physical tiredness might be impacting the team's overall performance.

Emery's rotation strategy has come under fire, particularly given the packed fixture schedule. His choice to make only two lineup changes for the Chelsea match following a Champions League game has sparked debates about proper squad management and player rest.

Attacking inefficiency

Villa's offensive output shows concerning signs, with the team failing to score in four of their last five matches. While Emery maintains that the team continues to create chances, their ability to convert these opportunities remains problematic.

Striker Ollie Watkins faces mounting pressure regarding his finishing capabilities at the top level. A growing section of supporters advocates for increased playing time for Jhon Duran as an alternative striking option.

The team now looks toward upcoming home fixtures against Brentford and Southampton as crucial opportunities to end their poor run. O'Neill remains positive about Villa's future prospects, but the immediate priority lies in rebuilding defensive stability, adding tactical variety, and managing player workload more effectively through rotation.

These next few weeks hold significant importance for Emery and his squad as they aim to recapture their earlier form that secured Champions League qualification last season, with their fate in both domestic and European competitions hanging in the balance.