Aston Villa faces the challenge of a packed schedule as Unai Emery’s squad prepares for an EFL Cup match against Crystal Palace amid their Premier League and Champions League campaigns.
With Villa striving for another top-four league finish and maintaining a perfect European record, the domestic cup may not be their primary focus. Nonetheless, Villa’s encounter with Palace offers a chance to rest key players and possibly rotate the squad.
Villa’s Champions League journey will soon bring them face-to-face with former fan favorite Douglas Luiz, who joined Juventus this year. Luiz had a stellar tenure at Villa Park, amassing 204 appearances with 22 goals and 24 assists. His resilience and tactical skill made him a valuable asset to Villa’s midfield. Despite the short-term setback from his departure, Villa has managed to fill the gap with promising additions. Emery brought in Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans, who have since built a solid midfield partnership, helping the team move forward without Luiz.
For Luiz, however, life in Turin has proven challenging. Despite his reputation, he has struggled to replicate his success in Serie A, going nine matches without a goal or assist and only playing a single full game under Juventus coach Thiago Motta. While Luiz finds his footing, Villa’s decision to sell him for £42 million seems increasingly sound, especially with the emergence of young talent who could potentially bring even more to the team.
One player that could surpass Luiz’s impact is Enzo Barrenechea, currently on loan at Valencia. Football analyst Ben Mattinson notes that Barrenechea might have an even higher potential than Luiz, which is high praise given Luiz’s contributions at Villa. Barrenechea, an Argentine midfielder, has already started impressively at Valencia, scoring against Getafe and winning six duels in the same match. His early success shows he could become an influential midfield force.
Villa’s interest in Barrenechea is not without basis. Before his loan to Spain, the young midfielder had an impressive stint with Frosinone in Serie A, which justified Villa’s £6.7 million investment in him. During the 2023/24 season, he averaged 6.4 ball recoveries and 4.9 duels won per 90 minutes. Comparatively, Luiz, now at Juventus, has only averaged 2.0 ball recoveries per game, highlighting Barrenechea’s defensive presence and his potential as a key midfield asset.
Barrenechea’s transition to Valencia has so far been smooth, allowing him to build on the skills he demonstrated in Italy. As he gains experience in La Liga, Villa will closely monitor his growth, hoping he can live up to his potential and step into a prominent role upon his return. If Barrenechea can maintain his form and meet the high expectations set for him, he may eventually offer Villa the midfield strength they once had in Luiz—perhaps even taking it a step further.
Emery, recognizing the long-term value Barrenechea could bring, will likely continue supporting his development from afar. The manager envisions him as a potential core player in the years ahead, poised to anchor Villa’s midfield with a blend of technical skill and defensive resilience. As Barrenechea progresses, Villa’s decision to invest in this young talent could be a strategic move that shapes the club’s future.