It’s been a remarkable season for Aston Villa and Unai Emery, with Champions League football within their grasp.
The Villans cemented their position in the top four after an excellent 4-2 win over Nottingham Forest on Saturday.
The home side were far too good for their hosts, with a scintillating first-half display to thank.
And Villa are now closing in on something they have never achieved in a Premier League campaign.
As highlighted by AVFC_stef on X, Emery’s men are close to having three players reach double figures for the first time in the Premier League era.
Ollie Watkins has already entered double figures with his impressive 14-goal tally. Douglas Luiz is one goal away from ten, and Leon Bailey is two goals shy of the magic number.
If the duo can find the goals required, Villa will break a record they have flirted with for numerous years.
As per Statbunker, the Villans nearly had three players hit double figures during the first Premier League campaign in 1992/23.
Dean Saunders, Dalian Atkinson and Gary Parker came close, with Parker’s nine goals preventing the feat.
The first Premier League campaign was as close as Villa have come, with no player hitting double figures during their 2000/01 campaign.
Dion Dublin’s eight goals saw the striker claim Villa’s golden boot. Last season, Watkins’ 15 goals carried Emery’s side, with Danny Ings and Douglas Luiz’s six strikes Villa’s next-best.
However, this season feels different, particularly for the Brazilian. Nine goals from the centre of midfield is a remarkable return to date, and there’s every chance of the 24-year-old hitting double figures.
Per FotMob, the midfielder’s xG (expected goals) is 6.51; therefore, his nine goals thus far haven’t been by chance. He’s getting himself into excellent goalscoring positions and finishing well when given the opportunity.
A player who can add goals from midfield could be the difference between landing a top-four berth and missing out.
Luiz’s form allows Moussa Diaby and Jacob Ramsey to have the odd off day in front of goal.
With Luiz just one goal off double figures, Bailey will also fancy his chances of reaching ten goals. The Jamaican’s form has been electric in recent weeks, keeping the likes of Diaby out of the side.
Emery’s men travel to Luton Town on Saturday, which could give the pair an excellent chance to edge Villa closer to a goalscoring feat never achieved in the Premier League.
