In a season where Aston Villa defied expectations and gave the Holte End moments to cherish, like the 2-1 home win over Manchester City or the 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League, the club firmly established itself as one of Europe’s elite. Among those elite clubs are standout players like Harry Kane, Erling Haaland, Jude Bellingham, Mohamed Salah, and Lamine Yamal. For Aston Villa, the choice was clear: Youri Tielemans was Villa's best player this season.
The Belgian midfielder’s blend of tactical intelligence and precision, with a relentless work ethic, made him essential to the claret and blue this season.
Tielemans’ impact was felt across all competitions in 2024/25. He scored five goals and provided ten assists, seven in the Premier League and three in the Champions League, across 52 appearances. Tielemans is the pulse of Emery’s Aston Villa side. He controls the tempo, dictates the rhythm of play, and delivers the passes that fuel Villa’s attacking engine.
One of his most underrated performances came against Everton in the thrilling 3-2 comeback win at Villa Park on September 14th. That day, Tielemans completed 127 of 140 passes, including 14 progressive passes, commanding the midfield with authority. This game summed up Tielemans' role to perfection, orchestrating everything with exceptional efficiency. Tielemans was the model of consistency and substance; he does his job to the letter, making it look easy.
Tielemans’ consistent brilliance did not go unnoticed by fans, the club, and his manager. He was named Aston Villa’s Player of the Month in both October 2024 and April 2025, proof of his influence over the campaign.
In April, ahead of Villa’s clash with PSG in the Champions League quarter-finals, manager Unai Emery praised him, saying:
"He’s a guy who can pick up balls and make the team play, but also break up play just as easily. It’s a joy to play with him—and very easy."
Emery’s words highlight just how vital Tielemans has been in balancing Villa’s structure both offensively and defensively.
The Engine behind Aston Villa's success
Beyond the stats and accolades, Tielemans has brought balance, structure, and stability to Villa’s midfield. His ability to seamlessly transition between shielding the back line and creating opportunities going forward has allowed his teammates to thrive. As the club looks ahead to next season, regardless of what happens with PSR this summer, Tielemans must be considered untouchable, regardless of price. He is essential to Villa’s competitive edge and the heartbeat of the team. His performances this season have not only earned him individual honors but have also cemented his status as a linchpin of the club’s ongoing revolution.
We are Claret Villans, now we want to hear from you. Who’s your Aston Villa Player of the Season? Leave us a comment below. You can also head over to our Twitter page and vote in the poll!