Aston Villa continued their sensational form under manager Unai Emery, securing an impressive 8th consecutive win across all competitions after defeating FC Basel in Switzerland. This remarkable run marks Villa’s longest winning streak in the top flight since 1914, signaling a resurgence for the Midlands club under Emery’s tactical brilliance.

Unai Emery Rotates Squad for Europa League Clash

After a dramatic last-minute Premier League victory against league leaders Arsenal, Emery opted for a heavily rotated lineup in the Europa League group stage fixture. Despite the changes, Aston Villa maintained their winning momentum, with summer signing Evann Guessand scoring his second goal for the club to give them the lead in Basel.

The Swiss side responded when Flavius Daniliuc converted a clever free-kick assist from Xherdan Shaqiri, leveling the score and thrilling the home crowd, which included Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer.

However, once again, Villa’s success story highlighted their depth: for the third consecutive match, the decisive goal came from a substitute. Youri Tielemans, coming off the bench, scored from inside the D, assisted by Emiliano Buendia, to seal Villa’s fifth European win of the season. This was Tielemans’ first goal for the club since May, underscoring his importance as an impact player in Emery’s squad.

Villa’s European Ambitions Stay on Track

With this latest victory, Aston Villa now sit comfortably atop their Europa League group, amassing 15 points from six matches. The team is on course for the knockout stages, with crucial upcoming fixtures including an away trip to Fenerbahce and a home match against Red Bull Salzburg. Emery expressed pride in his squad after the match:

“After the last matches, a lot of wars,” he said. “Brilliant wars for us. After our victory against Arsenal, it is not easy to recover our spirit and structure and mentality to keep the same hard work.”

Emery also acknowledged the challenges faced during the match, particularly in the final minutes when Basel nearly equalized:

“We struggled today and the last 10 minutes they were close to drawing. But I am happy with how we got this victory.”

Emery’s Masterclass: Strength in Squad Depth

This victory was more than just another win—it showcased Emery’s tactical acumen and squad management. Aston Villa’s manager made eight changes from the starting XI that overcame Arsenal, leaving Ezri Konsa, Matty Cash, and Amadou Onana as the only returning starters. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was rested ahead of a busy Premier League schedule, while players like Ollie Watkins, John McGinn, and Morgan Rogers made brief but meaningful appearances off the bench.

“Our idea at the start of the season was to manage all the players and give them the chance to play and help us,” Emery explained. “How we are managing it like today, I like how they are responding and how we are building the team with every player.”

Despite a few nervy moments in the match, Villa ultimately ran out comfortable winners and have now secured at least a Europa League play-off spot, with another win likely ensuring direct qualification for the knockout rounds.

Aston Villa’s Current Form

Aston Villa’s resurgence this season has been nothing short of extraordinary. Having started the campaign winless in six league and cup matches and failing to score in their first four games, Emery’s side has turned their fortunes around. They have now won 14 of their past 16 matches across all competitions, making them one of the best-performing clubs in Europe’s top five leagues.

What’s Next for Aston Villa?

Villa have seven Premier League fixtures scheduled before resuming European action in January. Their next match is against West Ham United at the London Stadium, kicking off at 14:00 GMT on Sunday, ahead of their Europa League trip to Fenerbahce on 22 January.

Player of the Match: Youri Tielemans

• Player: Youri Tielemans
• Jersey Number: 8
• Average Rating: 8.16
  Tielemans’ impact from the bench was decisive, underlining the squad’s depth and Emery’s strategic use of substitutes.