Aston Villa have made a solid start to the season under the stewardship of manager Unai Emery, with the team preparing for a crucial away fixture against Leeds United at Elland Road on Sunday, 23rd November.
The Villans will be aiming to maintain the positive momentum generated by their emphatic 4-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth before the international break. Goals from Emi Buendia, Amadou Onana, Ross Barkley, and Donyell Malen sealed the convincing win against the Cherries.
Villa's Standout Performers This Campaign
Based on detailed statistical analysis from WhoScored, focusing on players with over 300 minutes of action, three individuals have risen above their teammates in terms of performance.
Amadou Onana leads the way with an impressive WhoScored rating of 6.95. The Belgian international midfielder, who arrived from Everton in 2023, has quickly become a pivotal figure in the centre of the park, showcasing his quality and earning 24 caps for his national team.
Close behind is French midfielder Boubacar Kamara, who has secured a rating of 6.91. The 25-year-old, a 2022 signing from Marseille, has been a consistent presence for Emery, making 111 total appearances and scoring twice for the club.
Completing the top trio is Emi Buendia with a rating of 6.83. The Argentine playmaker has experienced a remarkable resurgence after falling out of favour and being sent on loan to Bayer Leverkusen. The former Norwich City man has fought his way back into Emery's plans and is re-establishing himself as a key asset.
Players Needing to Improve Their Form
On the other side of the analysis, three players have registered the lowest performance ratings in the squad so far this term.
Summer signing Evann Guessand finds himself at the bottom with a rating of just 6.33. The forward, recruited from OGC Nice on a long-term deal, has struggled to make an impact, netting only a single goal in his 15 outings to date.
Donyell Malen follows with a rating of 6.37, a surprisingly low figure given his recent contributions. The winger endured a difficult initial period after his winter switch to England but has recently begun to find his footing and chip in with important goals.
Perhaps the most notable name among the strugglers is striker Ollie Watkins, who has a rating of 6.46. The experienced frontman, who has been Villa's primary striker since his move from Brentford, has found goals hard to come by, scoring just once this season. His form was notable enough to see him omitted from the latest England squad for matches against Serbia and Albania.
Looking Ahead for Villa
As Unai Emery's side looks to build on their decent start, the performance data highlights both the key contributors driving the team forward and the players who need to rediscover their best form. The upcoming match against Leeds represents a critical opportunity to continue their progress in the Premier League campaign.
