Aston Villa were forced into selling star midfielder Douglas Luiz this summer as supporters were left saddened that he joined Juventus.
Luiz was often the orchestrator of most positive attacking sequences, as the 26-year-old blossomed into the complete midfielder.
A total of nine goals and nine assists in all competitions last season was a sign that a once combative presence was transformed into an attacking weapon under Unai Emery.
With his excellent ball progression and press resistance in midfield shining through, Luiz helped Villa finish in the top four and qualify for the Champions League last term.
Therefore, when PSR forced the Villans into offloading the Brazilian this summer, many questioned how they’d replace him but luckily, Emery had that answer right under his nose.
- READ MORE: How every player Aston Villa sold has fared since leaving this summer, as Douglas Luiz struggles
How Youri Tielemans has replaced Douglas Luiz at Aston Villa
Whilst Villa signed Amadou Onana, Ross Barkley and Enzo Barrenechea as midfield options, it’s Belgian Youri Tielemans who has replaced the void left by Luiz.
The 27-year-old – who predominantly played as a number 10 last term – has become a pressing machine and midfield orchestrator from a deeper role.
In Villa’s opening three Premier League games, Tielemans has formed a blossoming partnership with international teammate Onana, with the duo helping offset the loss of Luiz.
Tielemans, in particular, has shown why letting the Brazilian international leave this summer wasn’t the end of the world, as across the past year, he’s outperforming him across several metrics.
| Statistics past year per 90 | Douglas Luiz | Youri Tielemans |
| Shot-creating actions | 3.41 | 2.86 |
| Assists | 0.16 | 0.35 |
| Progressive passes | 4.99 | 6.62 |
| Successful take-ons | 0.85 | 0.90 |
| Pass completion | 85.6% | 82.9% |
| Tackles | 1.84 | 2.46 |
| Interceptions | 0.72 | 0.90 |
Whilst the above table demonstrates Luiz serving up more shot-creating actions and accurate passes, Tielemans has played more forward balls, bettered the Juventus man for the combative side of the game and provided more of an assist threat.
In an ideal world, Villa would have kept Luiz at the club, of course, but circumstances meant selling him could fund the transfer window and this has arguably brought the ‘genius’ out of Tielemans.
- READ MORE: What Belgian media said about Aston Villa duo Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans after France defeat
Unai Emery’s problem when Boubacar Kamara returns
Long-term absentee Boubacar Kamara returned to Aston Villa training on Tuesday after suffering an ACL injury in February’s defeat to Manchester United.
Kamara was a vital cog in Villa’s midfield last term, with the 24-year-old acting as a screen in front of the defence while forming a perfect partnership alongside Luiz.
Now that Onana and Tielemans have assumed responsibility in midfield, Emery will have a selection headache once Kamara returns to the squad.
The Frenchman is undoubtedly instrumental to Aston Villa’s midfield but the first three games have also shown that Tielemans and Onana are equally as important.
Unfortunately, one of the above trio will be left out of the side once Kamara is fully fit and it’s down to Emery to decide that.
