Birmingham, England - When Aston Villa finished seventh in the English Premier League last season, it seemed like it couldn’t get any better for The Villains. The placement was the sides’ highest since the 2009/10 season. After settling in as Villa’s manager, Unai Emery helped to lead the squad on a 10 match unbeaten streak during the season, knocking off teams like West Ham, Chelsea, and Newcastle in the process. Even with Aston Villa’s impressive 2022-23, Emery’s team has started this year's campaign just as strong, if not better. The Villains currently sit at seventh in the Premier League and dismantled Brighton 6-1 in their last EPL match. A big reason for Villa’s continued success has been the performance of new players acquired through the transfer market. 

Aston Villa acquired silky midfielder Youri Tielemans for a free transfer after the Belgian was relegated with Leicester City. The Birmingham side also managed to get their hands on former center-back Pau Torres, who played under Emery at Villareal. The crown jewel of Villa’s transfer market activity however was the signing of highly touted winger Moussa Diaby for €55.00m from Bayer Leverkusen. Aston Villa even dabbled with loans, temporarily adding Niccolo Zaniolo and Clement Lenglet on season-long spells. 

While some sides in the Premier League have struggled to see their summer signings pan out, Aston Villa has received a much-needed injection of quality into the side. Make no mistake, Villa had plenty of technical and effective players last season, but the boost from Torres, Zaniolo, and Diaby has been noticeable. 

Torres has established himself as one of the most comfortable ball-playing defenders in the EPL. With stalwart defender Tyrone Mings likely out for the season with a knee injury, the former LaLiga player has had to shoulder more responsibility. Torres has appeared in all seven of Villa’s matches thus far, playing all 90 minutes in each contest but one. Statistically the defender is an anomaly, according to FBRef Torres is in the 98th percentile of Successful Take-ons and in the 86th percentile of Progressive Carries (when compared to other EPL center backs). 

Diaby has been a real difference maker for Aston Villa going forward. The winger’s lightning quick acceleration and ability to find teammates in the box poses a conundrum for an opposing backline. In league play so far this year, the Frenchman has recorded two goals and three assists. With a more traditional striker in Ollie Watkins up top, Diaby has shouldered much of the creativity, even operating as a No. 10 at times this season. 

Although Aston Villa operates in a much different tax bracket than some of the elite teams across Europe, it was able to identify and acquire players that fit the style of play that its manager favors. In an era of soccer when it has become normal for teams to shell out tens of millions for players who may only appear in a couple matches, Aston Villa seems to have put on a masterclass of transfer market business.