Forget Rashford & Asensio: 8/10 Aston Villa star was Emery's unsung hero

Aston Villa weathered an early storm and struck in the second half to clinch victory against Chelsea at Villa Park.

It ended a five-match winless run in the Premier League and bridges the gap to the Champions League places, with Unai Emery‘s substitutions doing the business.

Indeed, Marcus Rashford was welcomed at half-time and he showcased the electric power that he carries so well, with one football writer saying that the Three Lions star “changed the game.”

Emery’s substitution pays off

January recruits Marco Asensio and Manchester United youth graduate Rashford combined to fire Villa into a second-half lead and advance to seventh in the Premier League, just two points behind Manchester City in fourth.

Marco Asensio & Marcus Rashford vs Chelsea
Match Stats	Asensio	Rashford
Minutes played	90′	45′
Goals	2	0
Assists	0	2
Touches	40	27
Shots (on target)	3 (2)	2 (0)
Accurate passes	23/27 (85%)	15/16 (94%)
Key passes	2	3
Dribbles completed	0/1	2/4
Total duels	1/6	2/4
Stats via Sofascore

Asensio proved his clinical quality, but Rashford’s introduction was the difference-maker against a Blues side that was combatting Chelsea’s wide play, allowing the hosts to ramp up the gas.

It’s a further string to Emery’s bow, for his tactical expertise blends so well with a shrewd eye in the transfer market that might just pay dividends across different competitions over the coming months.

However, the old guard still play a central role in Villa Park’s rise and rise. Indeed, John McGinn was the unsung engine at the heart of Villa’s push toward three points.

Emery’s unsung hero vs Chelsea

McGinn has so often been a pillar of strength at the heart of Emery’s Villa project, with his robust and athletic midfield style on full show against a Chelsea team that crumbled in the face of adversity.

As per Sofascore, McGinn completed 90% of his passes, completed both his dribbles, made four tackles and won 11 duels in an all-consuming midfield display.

Birmingham Live’s John Townley handed the 30-year-old an 8/10 match rating, commenting that he ‘matched Chelsea’s energy and work rate in midfield, with no player on the pitch winning more fouls than him.’

The flashy forwards impressed, indeed, served as spearpoints to claim the win, but McGinn was the architect in the centre, thriving alongside Youri Tielemans and holding their own against the likes of Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo.

The Athletic’s Jacob Tanswell also remarked that McGinn had “started to rattle Chelsea players” in the second half, feeding into the stentorian noise that shook Villa Park and lifting his teammates.

A proper captain. The Scotland international is the ever-important talisman, guiding his squad forward. Energy, initiative and unceasing determination, he’s a paragon of leadership.

The likes of Asensio and Rashford will take the limelight, but McGinn was Emery’s unsung hero on the latest big night in a long list of big nights since things changed for this football club.