Recently promoted Aston Villa are only a point away from the drop zone into Relegation. Failing to get any points from the 2-3 Tottenham game, they are in dire need of further points to spread the gap. This will be a look at what Villa has going for it and what it doesn’t when it comes to their future relegation battle.

Key Players: Grealish and Mings

Tyrone Mings(Left) and Jack Grealish(Right)

Jack Grealish and Tyrone Mings rank amongst the top players for Villa this season. The midfielder and defender have proved crucial for their respective roles. Without their captain, Jack Grealish Aston Villa looks lost in the attack. Creating important passes to continue the play and assist his teammates. The local lad has performed well for his club scoring 7 goals and assisting another 6. In the future, if Villa wants to stay in the Premier League for another season they will be relying on a healthy jack Grealish.

While Jack Grealish is crucial for the attack, Tyrone Mings is just as important for the defense. After this most recent match against Tottenham, it shows how leaky Villa’s defense is without him. With the worst defensive record in the league having conceded 50 goals, Villa needs Mings to ensure that it doesn’t get worse. However, despite his performances as a player, the defense is still incredibly leaky. This again was shown in the Tottenham game where two defensive mistakes from Bjorn Engels led to two goals being conceded. Nonetheless, Villa will have to make do and use their key defender

Major Injury Problems: Wesley, Mcginn, and Heaton

Aston Villa is a victim of major injuries on its key players. With forward Wesley Moraes, midfielder John Mcginn, and goalkeeper Tom Heaton out injured.

Wesley Moraes the Brazilian 23-year-old has a playstyle focused more around the team. Bearing this in mind his performances this season have still been underwhelming only scoring 5 goals and assisting 1. Despite this, he has an important role in the attack and reducing the depth for their center forwards further. With his cruciate ligament injury, he is most likely not coming back for the rest of the season. With the January transfer window shut, Villa will have to make do.

Aston Villa’s Scottish Midfielder, John Mcginn

Another key figure is John Mcginn the Scottish 25-year-old is an important part of Villa’s midfield. He was sidelined after a fracture to his knee. Prior to his injury, he was in incredible form for both his club and country, even named Scottish men’s player of the year. With him potentially coming back this season it could prove pivotal with his energetic work rate being key in the midfield for Villa.

Tom Heaton, Villa’s first-choice goalkeeper is out for the rest of the season after a ligament injury similar to Wesley’s. This injury was dealt with far better, during the January transfer window experienced goalkeeper Pep Reina joined on loan. From AC Milan, Reina has a history in the Premier League after being in the Premier League for Liverpool. At 37 years old he played incredibly well in the Tottenham game where he made many crucial saves, despite the final result.

New Arrival on loan, Pepe Reina has done well filling in as Goalkeeper

Afterthoughts

Villa has the quality to maintain in the Premier League. Despite recent performances, Villa could recover and gain crucial points to move up the league. With players like John Mcginn potentially coming back later in the season, it could improve performances. However, with a terrible defensive record, this could prove difficult, but this Villa side has overcome before. Displayed last season after a terrible start to the season Villa turned it around to win the promotion playoffs.