Last night's last-gasp victory over Leicester marked another historical moment for Villa - four consecutive wins for the first time in 90 years. New boy Ross Barkley netted his second in two games in the 91st minute to maintain the clubs 100% league record this season, with the help of a revitalised John McGinn and his assist.
Villa also secured their third clean sheet of the campaign, conceding only two goals in four games - the best in the entire league. They are one of only two teams in the top five European leagues to still have a 100% win record this season.
When we think back to the last game pre-lockdown, Leicester humiliated Villa in a 4-0 battering. Seven months on, Dean Smith's men look an entirely different picture. Unbeaten in eight, the previously fragile defense are now looking more solid than ever, with the Mings and Konsa centre back partnership proving to be extremely effective. The addition of Nottingham Forest favourite, Matty Cash, has added extra security down the right, as well as extra attacking threat.
It was a pleasure to see Super John McGinn back at his best. He has started this season with grit, and his well renowned bum-backing challenges remind us of why we love him so dearly. As he moved deeper during the game last night, we saw a lot more of his ball challenging expertise and a wide range of passing, which ultimately guided Barkley to square up for goal.
We cannot go without mentioning the skipper, Jack Grealish, who showed even more flashes of world-class skill as he tore the Leicester backline to shreds and linked up with Targett with a cheeky back kick. It's nice to see that he continues to dictate play, but also has much more assistance with the additions of Barkley, Watkins and the emergence of Trezeguet as one of the hardest working players on the pitch.
Smith, O'Kelly, Terry and ex-Leicester coach Craig Shakespeare are clearly doing something right behind the scenes. We saw the starts of something impressive during Project Restart with the solidifying of the defense and the return of McGinn, but the transfer window has clearly bolstered many necessary areas in the squad, particularly with goalie Emi Martinez having an immediate calming and authoritarian impact on the back line. We can only hope that fitness and effectivity of these players is maintained at this level for the rest of the season.
It's an exciting time for all Villa fans at the moment, coming off the back of an exhilarating victory over the champions, Liverpool, and then grinding out a hard-earned victory over a Leicester side that we may have lost to earlier this year. We can only hope that this continues with a run of favourable fixtures approaching, as well as some challenges along the way.
Up the Villa!
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