A win was needed for Aston Villa on Saturday in the Premier League after overcoming a horrendous week by Unai Emery’s standards.An FA Cup exit, loss to Manchester United and losing both Boubacar Kamara and Diego Carlos to injury handed the manager additional challenges to juggle as the season begins to heat up.
Victory at Craven Cottage settled the nerves for the moment, as the Villans reclaimed fourth place from Spurs to keep them well-alive in the race for a Champions League finish.
While Ollie Watkins stole the headlines for his match-winning brace in the capital, another star showcased just how important he is to Emery’s XI as Pau Torres made his return to action.
The return of Pau was highly anticipated as he made his first appearance of 2024 after recovering from injury.
The summer arrival gave the Villans an idea of what they were missing in his absence, as he put in an admirable shift against the Cottagers to ensure the three points returned to Birmingham.
Partnered with Clement Lenglet, the Spaniard won 100% of his ground duels and completed 100% of his attempted dribbles, via Sofascore, highlighting his strength when at the heart of Emery’s back line.
Aside from being a stern protector at the back, the 27-year-old was praised for his “intelligent” approach to play when in possession by journalist Jacob Tanswell.
Identifiable as being a prized asset when it comes to progressive play, Pau was lauded for his impact in the build-up to Watkins’ second goal.
One fan said, “This goal does not happen without that initial forward advance. This is why Pau is unique.
The presence of the Spaniard was greatly missed when he was absent, as highlighted by journalist Dan Bardell who said there was “zero coincidence” that the Villans claimed three points on his return.
As touched upon, adding stability to the defence is just one of Pau’s strengths, with his high football IQ giving him the ability to take hold of games by pushing play upfield.
While the defence came under pressure against Fulham, the former Villarreal star recorded six clearances to frustrate the hosts and to keep the control at the back alongside Lenglet.
ESPN’s Luis Miguel Echegaray waxed lyrical over the 27-year-old’s importance to Villa, going as far as calling the defender “by far one of the best ever signings” at Villa Park.
It’s praise indeed for Pau, who portrayed just how crucial he is at centre-back and the array of options he provides the squad through his defensive know-how and eye for a switch in play.
The summer arrival adds an unpredictable essence to Villa’s XI, something that has been exposed in recent weeks as opponents seemed to suss out the Midlands side’s game plan in his absence.
Emery will be thrilled to have his key player back from injury at a time when individual form is critical due to a lack of availability within the squad.
