When Douglas Luiz left Aston Villa in the summer, he was supposed to leave a big hole in the midfield.
Yes, only five Premier League games have been played, including Villa’s opening Champion League win, but they aren’t missing their dead-ball specialist, as of this moment.
Unai Emery’s side still have defensive issues – they have only kept one clean sheet this term – but they have won four out of their five league matches.
That includes Villa’s comeback win over Wolves on Saturday, only one week after that crazy comeback against Everton.
Whilst those in the Midlands were continuing their fantastic start to the new season, it was a different story altogether for Luiz in Turin.
Many thought Amadou Onana was the man to replace Luiz, but in reality, it’s Youri Tielemans and Ross Barkley.
Tielemans, who assisted Ezri Konsa for Villa’s second goal against Wolves, replaces his former teammate’s ability from set-pieces.
Whilst Barkley, who hasn’t put a foot wrong since joining from Luton even though he hasn’t started yet, replaces Luiz’s ability to control a game from deep, keep hold of that ball when pressed by the opposition and get the best out of those ahead of him.
Those two showcased that in the Midlands derby, whilst it was more misery for Luiz.
Juventus draw against Napoli
Juventus aren’t just becoming the draw specialists in Italy, but the 0-0 specialists after they recorded a point against Napoli on Saturday.
For the third time in five Serie A matches, Thiago Motta’s side have recorded a goalless draw, with Luiz involved in two of those matches.
Life hasn’t started as he would have liked at his new club, including being left out of Brazil’s most recent squad.
And to make matters worse, he was an unused substitute against Napoli. Perhaps he just needs a few more weeks to bed in.
Aston Villa v Juventus
For matchday five of the Champions League, Villa will welcome Juventus to their home ground and it will be interesting to see where Luiz is at by then.
The game will be played on November 27, so if he is still struggling for game time, then it really will be a worry.
READ MORE: Sky Sports pundit blown away by what ‘magnificent’ Aston Villa player did vs Wolves
Villa fans will remember their Brazilian star taking time to settle into Claret & Blue colours, before he found that spark and never looked back.
Juventus need to find that for him because he is a top-class operator and a key reason why Villa are in the Champions League.
