Just when you think things have turned a positive corner, the latest injury update brings more bad news. Aston Villa gave us the positive news by posting the return to training for Ezri Konsa who has been injured recently but then Unai Emery slapped us with the bad news that Pau Torres had picked up yet another knock.
After two wins on the bounce against Fulham and Nottingham Forest, Villa made the short trip down the M6 and then the M1 to take on Luton at Kenilworth Road.
Despite their league position, Luton have been in more games than they have been out of and truth be told, have probably surprised many by being the best of the promoted sides this season. Having said that, despite all their efforts, Rob Edwards has his work cut out to keep The Hatters in the Premier League this season.
Report: Luton Town 2-3 Aston Villa
Emery made just the one change from the side that beat Nottingham Forest last weekend as Konsa replaced Torres.
Despite me being sceptical, Villa started brightly by dominating the home side and it took Ollie Watkins just 24 minutes to find the back of the net. It was simple yet effective. Leon Bailey crossed the ball from a corner and the England striker headed home to make it 0-1.
The striker came close soon after when he linked up again with Bailey but was left frustrated when his shot went wide after hitting the post. However, he didn’t have to wait long before doubling both his and Villa’s tally.
Luton was daydreaming when Douglas Luiz played a quick dink from a free-kick finding Watkins who controlled and took a touch before unleashing into the far corner.
Watkins spoke after the game about concentration levels once Villa found themselves winning by two or more goals. In recent weeks they have thrown leads away against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest. This game was no different.
Luton came back out from the break a different side and dominated early possession having 75% of the ball in the opening 15 minutes of the second half.
The home sides’ hard work paid off when they pulled one back when former Birmingham City winger Tahith Chong was first to react when Matty Cash had initially denied Reece Burke on the line.
The home side grew with confidence and it was only a matter of time before they found themselves level. Villa had been giving away silly free-kicks all second half and this time they were punished.
Alfie Doughty swung in a beautiful cross for Carlton Morris to slot home and make it 2-2.
They probably should have turned the game on its head moments later when former Villan Ross Barkley picked out Morris but the striker’s effort fell comfortably into the arms of Emiliano Martínez.
Emery reacted by making four changes. Moussa Diaby, Lucas Digne, Tim Iroegbunam and Nicolò Zaniolo were all introduced and two of those subs linked up to secure all three points for Aston Villa.
Right at the death, Diaby curled in a delicious cross for Digne to arrive late at the back post and head home to make it 2-3.
Its three wins in a row for Emery’s side with a big week on the horizon which could really shape their season.
What the managers said
Emery: “Every player is showing in their teams their quality, their capacity, their commitment, their performance. Then of course, the coach of the national team has to decide. But I think he [Watkins] deserves to be there.”
Rob Edwards: “As you can imagine, [the mood] is down. We don’t deserve to lose based on the performance and the chances we created. It’s difficult to take right now. It’s probably the angriest I’ve been today.”
What’s Next?
Aston Villa travels to Amsterdam to take on Ajax on Thursday night in the Uefa Conference League and then welcome Champions League rivals Tottenham Hotspur to Villa Park next Sunday.
Luton travel to Crystal Palace in the Premier League next Saturday.