Analysis

LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 11: Saúl Ñíguez of Chelsea and Jacob Ramsey of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on September 11, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

3 positives from Aston Villa’s 3-0 loss at Chelsea

Match Preview: Aston Villa a healthier side ahead of Chelsea clash

Buendia scores in banged-up Aston Villa’s 1-1 draw with Brentford

Match Preview: Aston Villa to deploy 4-3-3 formation vs. Brentford?

BARROW IN FURNESS, ENGLAND - AUGUST 24: Cameron Archer of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring their side's sixth goal during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Barrow and Aston Villa at Holker Street on August 24, 2021 in Barrow in Furness, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)

Cameron Archer bags hat-trick in Aston Villa’s 6-0 win at Barrow

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Wesley of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Newcastle United at Villa Park on August 21, 2021 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by James Williamson - AMA/Getty Images)

Aston Villa squad changes expected for cup tie with Barrow

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 21: Danny Ings of Aston Villa celebrates with teammate Jacob Ramsey (R) after victory in the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Newcastle United at Villa Park on August 21, 2021 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

Match Recap: Aston Villa bounce back with 2-0 victory over Newcastle

WATFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Tyrone Mings of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Watford and Aston Villa at Vicarage Road on August 14, 2021 in Watford, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)

Match Preview: Aston Villa vs. Newcastle

WATFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Danny Ings of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Watford and Aston Villa at Vicarage Road on August 14, 2021 in Watford, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images)

Squad decisions loom for Aston Villa ahead of Newcastle

WATFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 14: Emi Buendia of Aston Villa is challenged by Rob Elliot of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford and Aston Villa at Vicarage Road on August 14, 2021 in Watford, England. (Photo by Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images)

Villa abysmal in 3-2 defeat at Watford

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 25: Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa looks on during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Bromwich Albion at Villa Park on April 25, 2021 in Birmingham, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Mike Egerton - Pool/Getty Images)

Match Preview: Aston Villa at Watford

BRISTOL, ENGLAND - JULY 31: Anwar El Ghazi of Aston Villa in action during the pre-season friendly between Bristol City and Aston Villa at Ashton Gate on July 31, 2021 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Visionhaus/Getty Images)

How might Aston Villa line up at Watford?

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JULY 24: Matty Cash of Aston Villa looks on during the Pre-Season Friendly between Stoke City and Aston Villa at bet365 Stadium on July 24, 2021 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

Villa topple Salernitana in preseason finale

BRISTOL, ENGLAND - JULY 31: Aston Villa's Jaden Philogene-Bidace and Bristol City's Kasey palmer during the pre-season friendly match between Bristol City v Aston Villa at Ashton Gate on July 31, 2021 in Bristol, England. (Photo by Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)

Youngsters impress in preseason win at Bristol City

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JULY 24: Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa is tackled by Ben Wilmot of Stoke City during a pre-season friendly match between Stoke City and Aston Villa at Britannia Stadium on July 24, 2021 in Stoke on Trent, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Aston Villa drop preseason fixture at Stoke

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 23: Jack Grealish of Aston Villa runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Chelsea at Villa Park on May 23, 2021 in Birmingham, England. A limited number of fans will be allowed into Premier League stadiums as Coronavirus restrictions begin to ease in the UK following the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Malcolm Couzens/Getty Images)

Where should Aston Villa play Jack Grealish?

WALSALL, ENGLAND - JULY 21: Emiliao Buendia of Aston Villa during the Pre Season Friendly between Walsall and Aston Villa at Banks's Stadium on July 21, 2021 in Walsall, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Aston Villa beat Walsall in preseason opener

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: Dean Smith, Manager of Aston Villa acknowledges the fans prior to the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Leicester City at Villa Park on December 08, 2019 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

U23 graduates and January Signings: Profiling Dean Smith’s New Players.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - JANUARY 08: Frederic Guilbert of Aston Villa scores the opening goal during the Carabao Cup Semi Final match between Leicester City and Aston Villa at The King Power Stadium on January 08, 2020 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Revamped Aston Villa Almost Stun Leicester in the Carabao Cup SF 1st Leg

FILE PHOTO (EDITORS NOTE: COMPOSITE OF IMAGES - Image numbers 1163993514,1196044186 - GRADIENT ADDED) In this composite image a comparison has been made between Dean Smith, manager of Aston Villa (L) and Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Leicester City. Leicester City and Aston Villa meet in the first leg of the Carabao Cup Semi Final on January 8,2020. *** LEFT IMAGE*** WALSALL, ENGLAND - JULY 24: Dean Smith, manager of Aston Villa looks on prior to the Pre-Season Friendly match between Walsall and Aston Villa at Banks's Stadium on July 24, 2019 in Walsall, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) ***RIGHT IMAGE*** BRIGHTON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 23: Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Leicester City looks on prior to the Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Leicester City at American Express Community Stadium on November 23, 2019 in Brighton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Carabao Cup SF Preview: Villa vs Leicester City

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - JANUARY 01: Tyrone Mings of Aston Villa reacts during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Aston Villa at Turf Moor on January 01, 2020 in Burnley, United Kingdom. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)

Villa “Fight Like Lions” to Pick up Vital Win over Burnley

WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 28: Jack Grealish of Aston Villa battles for possession with Abdoulaye Doucour of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Aston Villa at Vicarage Road on December 28, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)

Game Review: Villa 0-3 Watford

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Jack Grealish of Aston Villa celebrates with team-mates after Conor Hourihane scored the opening goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Norwich City at Villa Park on December 26, 2019 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)

Game Preview: Villa vs Watford

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 27: John McGinn of Aston Villa celebrates with the trophy following his teams victory in the Sky Bet Championship Play-off Final match between Aston Villa and Derby County at Wembley Stadium on May 27, 2019 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Top 5 Aston Villa Signings of the Decade

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 26: Conor Hourihane of Aston Villa celebrates with team-mates after scoring the opening goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Norwich City at Villa Park on December 26, 2019 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Paul Harding/Getty Images)

Biggest Takeaways: Villa 1-0 Norwich

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 21: Jonathan Kodija of Aston Villa looks dejected during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Southampton FC at Villa Park on December 21, 2019 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Match Reaction: Villa 1-3 Southampton

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 17: Jonathan Kodija of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal with Ahmed Elmohamady and Mahmoud Hassan during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Aston Villa and Liverpool FC at Villa Park on December 17, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Game Preview: Villa vs Southampton

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 17: Jonathan Kodija of Aston Villa celebrates after scoring his team's fourth goal during the Carabao Cup Quarter Final match between Aston Villa and Liverpool FC at Villa Park on December 17, 2019 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Carabao Cup QF: Villa 5-0 Liverpool