What's the one thing nobody is talking about?published at 16:45 8 January
16:45 8 January
After a shaky run of form at the end of 2024, Aston Villa started off the New Year strongly with a victory against a struggling Leicester side.
Next for the Villains is West Ham, who may have a new manager by the time Friday's fixture kicks off. Unai's Emery's men will be looking to capitalise on the Hammers' uncertainty and book their place in the FA Cup fourth round.
As we pass the halfway point of the season, we want you to tell us the one thing -good or bad - that no-one is talking about right now?
Have your say - and come back on Thursday for a selection of replies
Goalkeeper evolution - how playing it short can be a successpublished at 15:42 8 January
15:42 8 January
Gary Rose BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
When a goalkeeper hits the ball long, the success of it is very dependent on their team-mates picking up the second ball, otherwise possession is quickly conceded to the opponent.
Playing out from the back means the team with the ball is in control of play, but obviously there is more of the pitch to cover and more opposition players to play through.
Depending on the set up of the opposition, there are a variety of tactics a team can employ from a goal-kick.
Playing it short draws the opponent towards the attacking team's defenders which, in turn, creates space behind them.
If the attacking team is able to successfully exploit it, they can very quickly get up the pitch, with their opponents out of shape, and create a chance on goal.
Aston Villa did this to great effect against Manchester City on 21 December, with the ball taking just 14 seconds to go from the feet of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to the back of the opposition net for their first goal in a 2-1 victory.
Image caption,
The move for Aston Villa's opener against Manchester City last month starts with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez passing to Youri Tielemans
Image caption,
Tielemans, with the ball and his back to the opposition goal, spots Morgan Rogers making a run on the left
Image caption,
Tielemans' brilliant pass splits open the Manchester City defence, which has pushed high up, and Rogers is away with Jhon Duran in support
Image caption,
Rogers then races towards the box before playing a pass to Duran, who fires home
'Worn out' Emery just needs to make Villa 'good enough'published at 12:35 8 January
12:35 8 January
Mike Taylor BBC Radio WM reporter
Image source, Getty Images
If Unai Emery sounded a little worn out in the radio interview room last Saturday, you could hardly blame him. He was by no means the only one.
On a grimly cold afternoon, a slow-paced game had done little to stir the blood for long spells and, while reporters fidgeted about getting home before the forecast snow arrived, Emery had another injury to a key player on his mind.
"I think it's hamstring," he explained of John McGinn's withdrawal in the first half. "Hopefully not a lot, but I don't know exactly if two, three or four weeks he could be out of the team."
McGinn's absence is unhelpful but not disastrous. Emery has enough midfielders with overlapping skillsets to cover adequately, although the team is certainly better when an in-form and fit McGinn is available.
The absence of Pau Torres for a longer period is a bigger problem, not least because Villa are not so well-stocked in defence. The unavailability of Diego Carlos last Saturday appeared to pick Emery's back four for him.
As David Michael argued persuasively on this page yesterday however, the enforced reunion of Tyrone Mings and Ezri Konsa as Villa's central defence is perhaps no bad thing in the short term. It may simplify Villa's style in possession, and place a greater emphasis on defensive sturdiness in a season when Villa have proved surprisingly brittle.
Callers to BBC Radio WM on their way home from the match were grudging in their praise, and having shivered among them, you took their point.
Back indoors later, there were reasons to be more generous. Without arguably their most significant player this season in the suspended Morgan Rogers, Villa eventually found other ways – Ross Barkley scored and had a hand in most of their best work.
Although Leon Bailey featured only occasionally, he showed the right instincts at the decisive moment of the match, sensing the chance to score a goal that might give his season belated spark.
For much of Emery's time in charge, Villa have won and been stylish. On dark midwinter days, one of those things is more important than the other.
Amid patchy form and without several key players, they avoided some of the traps that cost them points in previous weeks.
Sometimes, being just good enough is, well, good enough.
Villa defence continues to be 'persistent headache'published at 12:32 7 January
12:32 7 January
David Michael Fan writer
Image source, Getty Images
Aston Villa's defensive issues have been a persistent headache for Unai Emery in recent games, and with injuries to Pau Torres and John McGinn, the timing could not be worse.
Torres will miss two months with a broken metatarsal, while McGinn's hamstring injury will sideline him for up to five weeks. These absences come just as Villa need to improve their league form and approach crucial Champions League fixtures, adding further pressure on Emery to find solutions.
Torres' injury is particularly significant. Brought in to anchor Villa's build-from-the-back philosophy, he has been pivotal to Emery's system. However, Villa's defensive record has been far from convincing, summed up by them conceding more than two goals per game away from home this season.
While Torres' absence compromises the team's fluidity, it presents an opportunity to address a glaring issue: defensive solidity. Reintroducing the Tyrone Mings-Ezri Konsa partnership could offer the stability Villa need, especially in the Premier League.
McGinn's injury, though less impactful in terms of tactical disruption, might also offer up new opportunities. His role in the first XI has felt forced at times, with his inclusion often based on leadership and character rather than tactical fit.
Due to Villa's strength in the middle of the park, McGinn has been forced to play wider midfield roles, when his best position is more central. Jacob Ramsey's return from injury provides an opportunity for a more balanced midfield. Then there is also the potential utilisation of Ian Maasten on the left-hand side in front of Lucas Digne.
While these injuries are poorly timed, especially with Villa looking to snatch a top-eight spot in the Champions League table, they could force Emery to rethink his approach and prioritise a more solid defensive structure.
This reset could be key to solving the long-term defensive woes that have compromised Villa's season so far.
Aston Villa launch commemorative kitpublished at 11:03 7 January
11:03 7 January
Image source, AVFC
Aston Villa will be honouring their 150th anniversary with a special black kit that will be worn in the club's FA Cup fixture at home against West Ham on Friday.
The kit will be based on the first kits worn by the club before they transitioned to their more traditional claret and blue colours.
Villa became the first team in the UK to put a crest on their playing kit and their commemorative kit will have a crest inspired by the original that has been authentically redrawn.
Gossip: European giants keen on Duranpublished at 07:45 7 January
07:45 7 January
Paris St-Germain are interested in signing Jhon Duran and it is believed Aston Villa could be tempted to sell the 21-year-old Colombia striker for £60m. (Talksport), external
Barcelona sporting director Deco has already met with Duran's representatives for informal talks to let the Aston Villa striker know he is on the radar of the Catalan club. (Sport - in Spanish), external
Sam: Much better in the second half! It's encouraging to see players like Emi Buendia back on the pitch with Tyrone Mings also coming into form. Our challenge is to try and ensure consistency across the 90 minutes, but to be four points off fourth is a sign of how far Unai Emery has taken us. Let's hope this encourages some of our fans to be more positive.
Alex: It will do, considering we are missing some of our key players like Morgan Rogers, Jhon Duran and Pau Torres. A massive goal for Bailey, he desperately needed that. Barkley with an incredible performance and finish! A good three points to get back on track and start 2025.
Jay: Very laboured and we should have put them out of sight before they scored. Villa's second string are not looking strong or creative again. I'm particularly upset about no clean sheet again. There was a poor lay-off from Ollie Watkins - just to add to his bad finishing - and then Matty Cash compounded his own bad game by not charging at Stephy Mavididi.
Cassie: Deserved win but Villa still need a striker to put the ball in the back of the net. Mings showed his class today, just like Ross Barkley. At times, Villa showed too much lack of desire to finish off the game. I don't think Emery knows who his best 11 players are.
Leicester fans
James: A lack of quality in the attacking third, specifically Mavididi, and a costly mistake at the back by James Justin resulted in another defeat. The rot has now carried through into another year. A new right-back, winger and striker are urgently needed in January, otherwise the Championship and the dark abyss beckons.
JB: There has got to be a message sent out to players that if you can't safely play the ball out of the back, clear it upfield! You give up potential possession but alleviate the chances of losing the ball in your box and conceding a possible goal, hence the second goal. Going down it seems and we won't be straight back up either. Perhaps just as well. We need a complete rebuild, including the manager and maybe new owners. It appears to have grown stale. Keep the faith.
Paul: Same old! Justin needs to be taken out of the firing line. The amount of goals that come down our right side is embarrassing.
Tony: Five losses in a row. This is beyond a joke. I thought the idea of a new manager was to improve?
Emery 'the coolest person inside Villa Park' as Foxes 'lacked cutting edge'published at 09:41 6 January
09:41 6 January
Ben Mundy Final Score reporter at Villa Park
Image source, Getty Images
On face value, Saturday's result at Villa Park went with form.
Aston Villa extended their unbeaten home run in the Premier League to 10 games, while Leicester City succumbed to their fifth straight defeat.
But after the game, as I sat in the bumper-kissing traffic waiting to get on to the M6, I couldn't help but feel a little sorry for the Foxes.
They played well in large parts but just lacked a clear cutting edge. And yes I know Jamie Vardy was playing, but he barely touched the ball in the first half.
If Ruud van Nistelrooy's side are to avoid the drop, they will need more than a solitary goal threat.
Leicester and their manager almost executed the perfect gameplan. Sitting in and defending the edge of their box in the first half, emerging a minute earlier than Villa after half-time and starting the second period on the front foot.
But defensive frailties, notably tackling and clearing lines, proved their undoing.
If - and it is a big if - they can find the goals and fix those frailties, Leicester might just have enough to stay up. They clearly have a manager with a plan.
Aston Villa certainly do as well. There was no panic from Unai Emery on Saturday. He cut the coolest person inside Villa Park, despite having to wait an hour for an opening goal.
Striker Ollie Watkins told me before the game that he wanted Villa's 2025 to be a continuation of their 2024 exploits.
On this evidence, his New Year's resolution will be achieved.
Gossip: Villa keen on Kolo Muanipublished at 07:17 6 January
07:17 6 January
Randal Kolo Muani could leave Paris St-Germain this month, with Aston Villa, Tottenham, AC Milan, Juventus, Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig all interested in the 26-year-old France forward. (Ben Jacobs), external
'We are feeling the confidence again'published at 18:38 4 January
18:38 4 January
Image source, Getty Images
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to Match of the Day after his side claimed a win against the Foxes: "We have to be proud of how we are doing, with the difficulties. The difficulties today were that Leicester City were performing well and it is difficult to beat them.
"In the second half, we were getting better and creating chances, not very clear chances but enough to score the two goals like we did.
"That match with those three points is fantastic for us. We are starting the second half of the season winning here at home and we are feeling the confidence again.
"Those three points are very important. We keep trying to get stronger.
"Our challenge now is to play two away matches in a row against Everton and Arsenal. I hope we can get enough points to be in the top 10 or top eight."
Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester: Key statspublished at 18:03 4 January
18:03 4 January
Image source, Getty Images
Aston Villa have gone 10 consecutive Premier League games without defeat at Villa Park (W6 D4), since a 2-0 loss to Arsenal in their opening game home game of 2024-25. Only Arsenal (12) are currently enjoying a longer unbeaten home run in the competition.
The Villains have completed their first Premier League double over Leicester City since 2003-04.
Ross Barkley's opener was his first Premier League goal from outside the box since October 2020, with that goal also coming against Leicester City.
Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester: Villa in a fight for Europepublished at 17:28 4 January
17:28 4 January
Charlotte Coates BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Aston Villa have had a taste of the big time and they want more of it next season.
Unai Emery's side have taken to the Champions League like a duck to water and they are on course for reaching the last 16 of the competition.
However, they are embroiled in a tough fight to secure their place among Europe's elite once again for next term but they have closed the gap to Chelsea in fourth to just four points.
After two games without a win, Villa needed to start the year on a high and take three points in a game they would expect to do so and that is exactly what they did.
Despite starting the game at a walking pace, Villa turned it on once the second half started and they took the lead after a brilliant Ross Barkley hit.
After being pegged back five minutes later, Villa did not allow their heads to drop as they went on the attack again and Leon Bailey was on hand to secure the three points.
They then went in search of more goals as Bailey struck the underside of the bar and Ollie Watkins skied one from close range.
With Everton up next in the league, Villa may feel they are in a good place to snatch a point or three.
'We need to be more ruthless in front of goal'published at 17:17 4 January
17:17 4 January
Image source, Getty Images
Aston Villa goalscorer Ross Barkley has been speaking to Premier League Productions following the win: "Leicester were well organised, they look a much better a side now. The manager has them well-drilled but I'm happy our team has come away with the three points."
On his goal celebration: "A week ago I had my first child, so I said I would do that if I scored. I'm happy I was able to do that."
On being picked to play: "It is just about being ready. We have some players in top form so it is hard for the manager to leave some players out and I understand that. It is just about being ready and getting consistent minutes behind me.
"We created some great chances at the end. The goals will come for Ollie Watkins. We will always create chances, just in the second half of this season we need to be more ruthless in front of goal."
Aston Villa 2-1 Leicester - send us your thoughtspublished at 16:56 4 January
Sutton's predictions: Aston Villa v Leicesterpublished at 11:18 4 January
11:18 4 January
Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League games this season, against a variety of guests.
For week 20, he takes on The Zutons frontman Dave McCabe, who supports Liverpool.
Sutton's prediction: 2-0
Aston Villa will be kicking themselves after conceding a late equaliser against Brighton.
I don't see Villa slipping up here, though, even without suspended duo Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers. Ollie Watkins will lead the line for them again - he has the jersey and will be looking to show why he should keep it when Duran is back from his ban.
Villa are strong at home while Leicester's away form is poor, with only one win and two draws from nine games on the road. They are in a relegation scrap and they are going to struggle to stay up.
The Foxes played pretty well against Manchester City last time out, and missed some good chances, but they still lost,
That defeat was their fourth in a row, and I am expecting Villa to make it five.
McCabe's prediction: 0-2
I am not sure about this one. There is a bit of a Midlands rivalry there, and I reckon Leicester might surprise a few people.
Who will secure Champions League football?published at 17:53 3 January
17:53 3 January
As we enter a new calendar year and the halfway point of the season, the Opta Supercomputer has been busy making its predictions.
But who has the best chance of securing Champions League football next season?
With England given a 97.8% chance of finishing in the top two of Uefa's coefficients rankings and receiving a bonus place in next season's competition, it is highly likely to be a race to finish in the top five of the Premier League this campaign.
One team essentially guaranteed a Champions League spot season, according to the Supercomputer's simulations, is high-flying league leaders Liverpool (100%).
Following closely on their heels are Arsenal and Chelsea, who occupy second and fourthgoing into this weekend's fixtures, with a 99.8% and 91.7% chance of finishing in the top five respectively.
Despite their unprecedented drop-off in form over the past two months, Manchester City fans will be pleased to hear Opta still gives them a 89.1% chance of clinching the potential final Champions League spot next season.
It then becomes a hotly fought battle between two of the most in-form teams in the league right now.
Despite third-placed Nottingham Forest's incredible campaign so far, Nuno Espirito Santo's side still fall below Newcastle United in the predictions for fifth place - with a 33.6% chance compared to the Magpies' 44.6%.
Four teams still have an outside chance of getting that coveted spot, with Aston Villa (13.8%), Bournemouth (9.8%), Fulham (6.2%) and Tottenham (5.4%) in the race.
