Aston Villa have put some squad together since the start of last season, with a number of arrivals adding to those already at Villa Park.
They’ve made acquisitions that Champions League clubs wouldn’t have turned down, with the likes of Leon Bailey, Philippe Coutinho, and Diego Carlos all signing on the dotted line to play for the club under Steven Gerrard.
Since Gerrard’s sacking, Villa also dipped into the transfer market in January, bringing in Jhon Duran and Alex Moreno under the management of Unai Emery.
The question we have, however, is who’s Aston Villa’s best current player?
10) Leon Bailey
Although Leon Bailey didn’t have the greatest debut campaign at Aston Villa last season, the potential is certainly there.
If he can return to his Bayer Leverkusen form at Villa Park then he will likely find himself a few places higher on this list, and in a key role under Emery.
Indeed, Bailey has scored four goals and registered five assists this season, and he is still just 25.
He’s got bags of potential, and the ability to become a truly frightening winger.
9) Matty Cash
Mr Consistent, Matty Cash has enjoyed some rise since making the move to Aston Villa, and is now an established Premier League right-back who rarely puts a foot wrong.
The Poland international was even heavily involved in their World Cup campaign in Qatar in 2022, coming up against some of the best players in the world as a result.
He didn’t look out of place on that stage and he has to go down as one of the best right-backs in the league at this point in time.
He’s a fantastic asset for Villa to have.
8) Emiliano Martinez
Emiliano Martinez never really got a chance at Arsenal until the later stages of his time in North London, when he earned the move to Villa Park.
Since arriving in the Midlands, the shot-stopper has not looked back, and has become quite the fan favourite amongst the Aston Villa faithful. As it turns out, making the move is the best thing he could have done with his career.
Oh, and he also won the World Cup with Argentina in December, becoming a hero in his homeland for his heroics throughout the tournament.
It remains to be seen if Villa can keep hold of him for much longer.
7) Lucas Digne
After a falling out with Rafael Benitez, Lucas Digne surprised many by making the move to Aston Villa from Everton last season.
Since sealing the deal, although he hasn’t hit incredible heights, he hasn’t really put a foot wrong.
He will be hoping to turn consistent form into decisive performances under Emery after his appointment, and the signs are good.
Digne has yet to provide an assist this season but he has been defensively solid throughout.
6) Douglas Luiz
As far as Aston Villa transfers go in the last few years, Douglas Luiz remains one of the best acquisitions that they’ve made.
Most clubs are often left crying out for a solid defensive midfielder, but Villa managed to secure an consistent option for years to come, which should prove vital in their pursuit to eventually qualify for European football at Villa Park.
It was little surprise when he was actually linked with Manchester City in the summer, as their buy-back clause expired.
Luiz is a tidy footballer, and possesses a truly brilliant engine.
5) Diego Carlos
Only time will tell whether Diego Carlos goes on to become a great success at Aston Villa, but Gerrard certainly rated the central defender, making him vice-captain in his debut season.
The former Sevilla man will be hoping to become the answer to Villa’s defensive problems after arriving for a reported fee of £26 million in the summer.
So far, he’s only played twice in the Premier League, though, due to an Achilles tendon rupture that has ruled him out of Villa’s season.
When he returns, he will be transformative.
4) John McGinn
The fact that John McGinn is fourth on this list shows just how strong a squad Aston Villa have these days.
The Scotland midfielder and new Villa captain’s importance to the club cannot go understated.
McGinn is one of the first names on the team sheet and has played for the club 18 times this season already, as he’s the glue that holds their midfield together.
A fantastic player and a fantastic servant to the club.
3) Emiliano Buendia
It truly baffles us as to why Emiliano Buendia only made 22 starts in the Premier League last season in his debut campaign at Aston Villa.
In those starts, he managed 10 goal involvements, and, it must be said that he has the ability to add to that number.
This season, though, he has scored just three goals; he is a frustrating presence in the Villa squad, but the natural ability when it comes to changing games is absolutely there.
It’s down to Emery to bring it out.
2) Jacob Ramsey
When it comes to young midfielders in the Premier League, Jacob Ramsey is right up there with the very best in English football.
With a midfield legend in the form of Gerrard previously advising him from the technical area, too, he has developed hugely as a player.
Ramsey has played for England at various youth levels and has scored two goals, and provided two assists, this season.
He’s a gem, and he’s only 21.
1) Philippe Coutinho
This may be controversial, given his drop off towards the end of last season and the start of the current campaign, but when it comes to talent, Philippe Coutinho is the best player in the Aston Villa squad right now.
At his best, the former Liverpool man is a Champions League player at the very least.
The job Gerrard struggled with was just getting the Brazilian back to that best form on a consistent basis, and Emery is also finding it difficult.
This season, in 19 league games, Coutinho hasn’t scored a goal or provided an assist; it’s time for him to start delivering.
So, there you have it, our ranking of Aston Villa’s best players. Do you agree with our list? Or, do you feel as though some players missed out, whilst others were handed harsh placements? Let us know in the comments.
It could be an incredible season for those at Villa Park, who have the privilege of watching arguably one of the best squads that the club has ever had in the Premier League.