Unai Emery, the manager of Aston Villa, has voiced his confidence that Jadon Sancho and Douglas Luiz can return to their peak performances as the season reaches its climax. The duo featured prominently in Villa's recent 1-1 draw against Bournemouth, a match that highlighted their growing influence within the squad.
Sancho and Luiz Make Their Mark in Bournemouth Stalemate
In the encounter at the Vitality Stadium, both Sancho and Luiz were named in the starting lineup, contributing significantly to Villa's efforts. Sancho, in particular, showcased his creative flair by providing the assist for Morgan Rogers' opening goal in the 22nd minute, demonstrating his potential to be a key playmaker for the team.
Luiz, who rejoined Aston Villa on loan from Juventus last month, has now made consecutive starts for the club. His return comes at a crucial time, with several midfield stalwarts sidelined due to injuries, placing added responsibility on his shoulders.
Emery's Midfield Dilemma and Injury Concerns
The Villa boss is currently grappling with a midfield crisis, as key players Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, and Boubacar Kamara are all unavailable. Tielemans is expected to be out until after the March international break, while McGinn faces around four more weeks on the sidelines. Kamara's season has been cut short due to a knee injury, leaving a significant void in the team's engine room.
Emery emphasised the importance of the available midfielders stepping up to fill these gaps. "Douglas Luiz, Onana, Barkley, and Bogarde have a huge responsibility to replace the injured players - McGinn, Tielemans and Kamara," he stated. "Those three are here for a long time and were performing here in high demands being successful."
Luiz's Road to Recovery and Onana's Consistency
Discussing Luiz's progress, Emery noted that the Brazilian midfielder is still on a journey to regain his best form. "After one year and a half away from here, Luiz is needed, to recover him doing the tasks in our demands. He improved from the first match, but there is still work to do to get his best," the manager explained.
He also praised Amadou Onana for his recent performances, highlighting the need for consistency. "Onana must be consistent, trying to avoid injuries. He played a fantastic match. We needed him from defensive set-pieces," Emery added, underscoring the Belgian's defensive contributions.
Barkley's Fitness and Sancho's Potential
Ross Barkley is another player who is gradually regaining his match fitness and confidence, with Emery describing him as a "fantastic player" who will be important for the team. Tim Iroegbunam, referred to by his surname Bogarde, was also commended for his versatility and reliability in midfield.
Turning his attention to Jadon Sancho, Emery expressed hope for the winger's continued improvement. "Hopefully he is getting better and he can help us in this process like he is, getting better. I expect more from him and because I am positive, hopefully he will give us it," he said, indicating his belief in Sancho's ability to make a significant impact in the coming weeks.
Looking Ahead to Villa's Final Push
With the season entering its decisive phase, Emery's faith in Sancho and Luiz could prove pivotal for Aston Villa's ambitions. Their performances against Bournemouth have provided a glimpse of what they can offer, and the manager will be hoping they can build on this foundation to help the team navigate through a challenging period of injuries.
The draw at Bournemouth, while not a victory, has offered positives in the form of individual displays from key players. As Villa prepare for the final months of the campaign, the focus will be on integrating Sancho and Luiz effectively into the squad, ensuring they can deliver on the high expectations set by their manager.
