Aston Villa's stunning Premier League campaign has left pundits scrambling to reassess their predictions. The once-struggling Birmingham side now has its sights firmly set on an unlikely Champions League spot, a feat that seemed laughable at the season's outset.
The key to this turnaround lies in Villa Park. Now a fortress, the stadium has witnessed stellar performances from Leon Bailey, Douglas Luiz, and Ollie Watkins. Their consistent goal contributions make Villa Park a nightmare for visiting teams.
Manager Unai Emery has been instrumental in igniting this transformation. Since his arrival, Villa plays with newfound belief and tactical discipline. Their resilience is exemplified by how they overcame a tough start to the season.
Neville's initial sixth-place prediction now seems laughably off the mark, and Carragher's failure to even consider Villa for the top six only highlights their progress. Aston Villa's quest for Champions League football is a bold statement of defiance.
However, this form wasn't enough to earn a spot in the Sky Sports pundits' mid-season best XI. Watkins, Luiz, and Bailey were shockingly overlooked in favour of players like Jarrod Bowen, Son Heung-min, Bernardo Silva, and Cole Palmer. This decision begs the question – do pundits underestimate Villa's explosive home form?
The stats don't lie: Bailey, Watkins, and Luiz have each delivered over 10 goal contributions at Villa Park this season. None of the pundits' selections in those positions can boast a similar home record. This throws the pundits' choices into stark relief.
Aston Villa's 2023/2024 season is one for the record books. Their combination of attacking prowess, home dominance, and tactical excellence has proven doubters wrong. As the season enters its decisive stages, fans will be on the edge of their seats to see if Villa can maintain this momentum and secure a historic European berth.