Aston Villa are enjoying home comforts this season with their Villa Park form underpinning the club’s Champions League ambitions.
Unai Emery’s side have the fourth-best home record in the Premier League, picking up 28 points thus far.
Nine victories and 31 goals scored match Manchester City in the same metrics. The Villa Park faithful have certainly been entertained this season – and Emery’s men have achieved something that hasn’t been done for 40 years.
Aston Villa close to 40-year scoring record
Per Aston Villa Statto, Villa have scored in each of their last 26 Premier League fixtures at Villa Park after Douglas Luiz netted against Manchester United last week.
Their current run is the longest since the 1982/83 season when Tony Barton’s side scored in 33 consecutive home games.
Emery’s men would need to consecutively score in nine further home games to match the record set over 40 years ago.
The Spaniard has turned Villa Park into a tough place to visit, with Manchester City and Arsenal falling to defeats this season.
Villa’s travels haven’t been as fruitful, with seven fewer points picked up on the road.
However, speaking in January, former Villa Shay Given backed Emery to turn Villa’s fortunes on the road around.
“I don’t think he [Emery] will be worried,” Given told BBC Sport.
“He was asked that question after the defeat at Old Trafford, where they gave away a two-goal lead, and he quoted ‘we are where we are’ and nearly laughed due to the season they are having.”
High standards at Aston Villa
The fact we are talking about Villa’s away form being an issue highlights the change in mentality.
Aston Villa’s away points return is the fifth-best in the Premier League. For most, that is more than satisfactory.
Yet, with Emery driving standards, looking to improve on the road is probably considered essential as the club aim to cement themselves in the top four.
Up next is a favourable fixture against Nottingham Forest, with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side struggling near the foot of the table.
With Tottenham not playing this weekend, there is an excellent opportunity for Villa to put some distance between themselves and Ange Postecoglou’s side.
