3 years ago today, Aston Villa pulled off one of the biggest wins in the club’s Premier League history, beating Champions Liverpool 7-2. How has Villa changed since?
Cast your mind back to 2020, it’s lockdown and there are no crowds in the stands. Watching highlights it is almost dystopian now.
Liverpool had just come off the back of a Premier League title win but were without Alisson and Sadio Mane on the night.
Ollie Watkins helped himself to his first, second and third Villa goals as he secured a hat trick.
Jack Grealish bagged a brace while John McGinn and Ross Barkley also got on the scoresheet.
Unsure as to the reason, but this is a very under-appreciated win that is barely spoken about considering the gravity of the win.
What has changed since Aston Villa 7-2 Liverpool?
Well, the apparent change is in the dugout. Unai Emery is now the Villa manager but at the time it was Dean Smith.
Smith is a cult hero at Villa Park given it was under his reign the club finally made it back to the Premier League.
The defence has a familiar feel to the current day. With Matty Cash, Ezri Konsa and Tyrone Mings all playing their part in the win.
Matt Targett lined up at left-back and won Villa player of the season later that year.
Douglas Luiz and McGinn lined up in midfield and both are playing huge roles in the Villa squad right now.
Barkley lined up in front of those two and scored on his debut. He played very well until he picked up a lengthy injury and was never the same.
Grealish was the star on the night and his popularity was on the rise, and only got bigger after this game. This turned out to be his final season in a Villa shirt.
A truly amazing night for Villa fans and a win that flies under the radar amongst others.
