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Aston Villa’s Goal Drought: Why Unai Emery’s Side Are Still Waiting

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery transfer news

Aston Villa are the only team in England’s top seven divisions without a goal – so why is it they’re struggling?

Aston Villa’s August “goal of the month” award was unusually simple — there wasn’t one.

For only the second time in their history, Villa failed to score in their opening three league fixtures. Out of 162 teams across England’s top seven divisions, they are the only club yet to find the net.

Lower down the pyramid, it takes until Step 7 — the Anglian Combination Premier Division — to find another goalless side, Acle United.

But at Premier League level, Villa’s struggles stand out all the more.

Aston Villa Transfer Restrictions

The Aston Villa goal drought has coincided with a difficult summer. UEFA restrictions limited the club’s transfer activity, and defender Ezri Konsa admitted the rules had “killed us this transfer window”.

Villa eventually added Jadon Sancho, Harvey Elliott and Victor Lindelof on deadline day, but can these additions quickly address Villa’s lack of cutting edge?

Since their last goal, Villa have taken 42 shots without success. The barren spell now stretches to four competitive games, dating back to their crucial defeat against Manchester United in May.

That loss denied Villa Champions League qualification on goal difference — which goes to show just how costly a lack of goals can be.

This goalless run is Emery’s longest drought as a manager since 2007 with Almeria.

The chances of Villa achieving a top-five finish are diminishing, according to football betting sites, which currently price them as 5/1 outsiders.

Why Aston Villa Are Struggling in Front of Goal

Tactically, Villa’s patient style under Unai Emery is beginning to look predictable. The team relies on control, organisation and precise passing patterns.

Last season, only Arsenal and Manchester City played fewer long passes, and only Ipswich Town attempted fewer crosses.

Opponents are now happy to allow Villa’s back line possession, blocking midfield lanes and forcing Emery’s side to play cautiously.

The lack of natural width is another key factor. With Leon Bailey gone, Villa lack an out-and-out right winger, and have struggled to stretch defences as a result.

So far this season, John McGinn and Donyell Malen have been deployed out wide with limited success, leaving Ollie Watkins increasingly isolated and reduced to feeding off half-chances.

Sancho and Elliott may provide new solutions, but neither is a natural right-sided winger – Elliott prefers the half-space zones, while Sancho thrives when combining on the left.

What the Numbers Say About Villa’s Goal Drought

On paper, Villa’s expected goals (xG) from their first three fixtures is over two, suggesting an average team would already have scored twice.

But in reality, their chance creation and shot quality have been poor. They are averaging just three shots on target per match, and many of those have come from speculative or low-value positions.

Set-pieces have been their main source of threat, but from open play, Villa’s creativity is lacking.

For a club aiming to compete at the top end of the table, these numbers underline the scale of the problem.

Can Emery Solve Villa’s Goal Drought?

Emery’s meticulous approach has transformed Villa since he arrived, but the team may now need to evolve quickly. Football trends are shifting back towards direct play, pace and physical No.9s.

The deadline-day signings offer some hope, particularly Elliot, who could inject flair and unpredictability. Sancho may also provide creativity between the lines, but it may require some tactical changes to get Villa up and running again.

The upcoming fixtures will test whether new signings can reinvigorate Villa’s forward line, starting with a trip to Everton on Saturday.

Scoring in September would be a vital first step in ending this worrying Aston Villa goal drought.

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