Aston Villa’s 2-1 win away to Basel in the Europa League – their eighth straight victory – was hugely satisfying for boss Unai Emery, and not just because it maintained his side’s remarkable run of form.
Not only did it come in the stadium where the Spaniard won his third Europa League trophy with Sevilla in 2016, Villa’s latest win also demonstrated the strength in depth at Emery’s disposal.
He made eight changes in total, with Ezri Konsa, Matty Cash and Amadou Onana the only starters from the statement win over Arsenal last weekend.
With a match at West Ham on Sunday, Emiliano Martinez was given the night off while the likes of Ollie Watkins, John McGinn and Morgan Rogers made cameo appearances from the bench.
On a night of positives in Switzerland, Youri Tielemans – another substitute – scored the winner.
Villa survived one or two nervy moments but were worthy winners in the end and are guaranteed at least a play-off spot. Another win, however, should be enough to secure an automatic place in the knockout stages.
Emery’s side have now won 14 of their last 16 games in all competitions, remarkable considering they did not win any of their first six league and cup games at the beginning of the season.
Having failed to score in any of their first four matches, Villa are one of the best performing teams in Europe’s top five leagues.