Danny Murphy has named one ‘outstanding’ Aston Villa star in his Premier League Team of the Season so far.
It has been an incredible first half of the campaign for Aston Villa who find themselves in the mix for the Champions League places.
Under the tutelage of Unai Emery, the Villans have been transformed from a side struggling close to the bottom to one capable of going toe-to-toe with the league’s elite having beaten Manchester City and Arsenal this term.
Their resurgence in the Premier League has been remarkable and that is down to how the Spaniard has improved the majority of his squad.
From turning Ollie Watkins into a clinical goalscorer to getting the best out of Leon Bailey, Emery has crafted several success stories at Villa Park, and the plaudits have continued to fall for him.
Despite occupying second position in the table, three points behind leaders Liverpool, Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher still didn’t feel any Aston Villa player deserved a player in their Team of the Season so far, leaving fans feeling outraged.
Danny Murphy, on the other hand, will have left supporters feeling delighted with one of his inclusions in his side.
Danny Murphy includes Douglas Luiz in his Team of the Season
Douglas Luiz has been sensational for Villa alongside the energetic Boubacar Kamara.
The pair have struck arguably one of the best midfield partnerships in the division and that has formed the backbone of their success.
As such, former Premier League midfielder Murphy believes that Luiz is one of the main reasons why Emery’s side are flying at the top and therefore including him in his Team of the Season so far.
Reveal his team to Jim White and Simon Jordon on talkSPORT, he said: “The two holding midfielders, I’ve gone Douglas Luiz at Villa, gone up a level, I think he’s been outstanding, one of the main reasons Villa are where they are. He’s been pivotal in that, and Declan Rice because he’s adapted to life at Arsenal…”
Despite describing the Brazilian as “outstanding” and showering him with praise, he did mention another Villa player who he was close to putting in the team.
Murphy nearly includes John McGinn
Although Murphy said Luiz is the reason Villa are up there, it is argued that John McGinn has been just as important.
The Scotsman has impressed Emery with his positional versatility, operating as a left-sided midfielder, one of the two in a double pivot or as an advanced midfielder.
Wherever the Spaniard puts him, he performs to a high level, and this is why he was recognised for his performances this season by Murphy, who revealed he came close to selecting him in the side.
“I thought about [John] McGinn, Rodri’s the obvious choice but he’s just maintained his wonderful levels of being the best holding midfield player in the world, it’s boring really.”
If that duo continue their fine midfield performances, they will have every chance of making the actual Team of the Season in May.
