Aston Villa 2024/25 Season Review: So close, yet so far
(Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
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Aston Villa’s 2024/25 season was a wild mix of highs and heartbreak, cementing Unai Emery’s side as a force but this time, falling short of their Champions League dream.

After a stellar fourth-place finish last season, Villa kicked off with sky-high expectations, bolstered by big January signings like Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio. They delivered huge moments, like a 3-2 Champions League win over PSG, and reached the quarter-finals, a huge step for a club back in Europe’s elite.

In the Premier League, Villa stayed in the top-five hunt, notching nine wins in their final 11 games, including a 2-0 dismantling of Tottenham. Ollie Watkins’ late-season surge and Morgan Rogers’ emergence kept the Villa Park faithful hoping.

But the campaign ended in agony - a controversial 2-0 loss to Manchester United on the final day, with a disallowed Morgan Rogers goal, saw Villa slip to sixth, missing Champions League qualification. A shock FA Cup semi-final no-show against Crystal Palace and a mid-season dip - six wins in 21 games from September to February - exposed frailties in telling moments.

Despite the sting, Europa League football awaits, and Emery’s tactical nous is what keeps Villa on an upward trajectory going into next season. Villa’s knack for choking in big games needs fixing - some may put that largely down to defensive woes.

Youri Tielemans was Aston Villa’s heartbeat this season, scooping both the Players’ Player and Supporters’ Player of the Season awards. The Belgian midfielder was a class act, dictating play with his vision and producing moments of magic.

Appearing in 53 games, he notched five goals and ten assists, his best return yet, including a huge goal in 2-2 draw against Liverpool.

Tielemans’ leadership shone through, especially during Villa’s mid-season wobble, with his cool head steadying the ship. Whether spraying passes or popping up with vital goals, Tielemans was Emery’s go-to man throughout the entirety of the season.

Many questioned whether the 28-year-old would fulfil the physical demands of Emery's intense system - those doubts have very much been squashed over the past 12 months.

Morgan Rogers, at just 22, was Aston Villa’s breakout star, earning Villa’s Young Player of the Season award.

The Englishman's blend of power, flair, and end product made him a nightmare for defences, cementing his place in Unai Emery’s system.

Starting 37 of 38 Premier League games, Rogers racked up eight goals and 10 assists, with his goal in 2-1 win against Manchester City early in the season which put him into the spotlight of a real talent to watch.

Rogers’ versatility was huge too. Often shifting from left wing to attacking midfield - which gave Villa dynamism, especially in their 3-2 Champions League win over PSG. Despite the European heartbreak, Rogers’ growth from a £15m Middlesbrough signing to a key cog for Emery was staggering.

His ability to step up when Jhon Duran left for Al-Nassr in January proved his maturity too. With Europa League football ahead, Rogers’ trajectory suggests he’s only getting started.

Villa certainly have a gem on their hands.

After joining on loan from PSG in January, Asensio contributed eight goals and one assist, providing a total of nine goal contributions across his 21 appearances for the Villans.

Asensio was used by Emery in a free number ‘ten’ role, with the Spanish international being allowed the freedom to play close to the striker to provide support.

With Villa increasing the possession they hold throughout matches, the acquisition of Asensio helped provide the creative spark to break down mid and low blocks. The loanee was able to find pockets in the half spaces and use his creativity, exquisite range of passing, and his ball carrying ability to create opportunities for himself and teammates.

This is demonstrated by Asensio completing 4.43 shot creating actions and 0.61 goal creating actions per 90 (via FBRef).

Whilst the future is uncertain on whether Asensio will extend his stay at Villa Park, it is no surprise Emery’s sides upturn in form in the new year coincided with the arrival of Asensio, with the Spanish star influential in the Champions League and FA Cup campaigns, as well as helping secure Europa League football.

Written by Aryn Matthee

Ezri Konsa has been a prominent figure for Emery over the last few seasons, but 2024/25 felt like a step to the next level for the England international.

The 27-year old has featured primarily at centre back this season, as well as covering at right back on occasion. The move to central has allowed Konsa to demonstrate his tremendous leadership, with the Englishman using his physical prowess to nullify opposition attackers and prevail in duels.

Konsa successfully tackled 77.4% of dribblers (via FBRef), as well as winning 69% of his total duels.

These monstrous numbers demonstrate the success Konsa has had - as well as taking on a more experienced role to fill in the void left by the departure of Diego Carlos.

The defender has also enjoyed a relatively injury free campaign, making 50 appearances this season, establishing himself as a consistent member of the Villa team who made the semi finals of the Champions League and FA Cup.

Written by Aryn Matthee

Following on from a sensational season in 2023/24, much was expected from Leon Bailey this campaign. However, the 27-year old has failed to reach expectations over the course of the season.

After providing 28 goal contributions in 52 appearances last term, the hope was the Jamaican attacker could push on, and position himself as a talisman at Villa. However, Bailey has mustered just a mere six goal contributions this season, amidst a year of inconsistency.

While injuries have plagued Bailey for certain periods throughout the campaign, the inability for the former Bayer Leverkusen forward to replicate last seasons success has raised doubts over his long term future at the club.

Bailey is renowned for being a direct, pacy winger who consistently boasts high dribbling and progressive carries records, using his trickery to advance Villa up the pitch as well as offer a significant threat behind defences.

This season has seen the Jamaican international lack an element of sharpness which has caused Bailey to struggle far more when up against opposition full backs. As well as a real struggle to generate space to offer himself as a sustained goal threat.

Written by Aryn Matthee

The valiant exit to Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain might have been the most obvious candidate for this category. But it was a game at the start of the continental campaign that truly ignited their return to elite European competition on an evening when everything went right.

Back to being the bullies of the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich destroyed Dinamo Zagreb 9-2 on the opening matchday of the league phase in the Champions League. But their scoring exploits ground to a halt in front of the Holte End, as the Villans showed why they would be a force to be respected.

Unai Emery, the European specialist, sent out his men in their typical 4-4-2 formation, and their defensive discipline stifled the Bavarians at Villa Park. When they went the other way, the relentless running of Ollie Watkins and the ball-carrying of Morgan Rogers gave Emery's side the perfect outlet throughout.

It was a display that featured all the things that have troubled top opponents in the Premier League.

To top it off, super sub Jhon Duran decided the game with an audacious lofted finish over Manuel Neuer to send Villa Park into ruptures. It was the first time that top European football had graced the ground since 1983, and fans could not have hoped for a better way to see the side back in the big time.

Written by Emmanuel Adeyemi-Abere