2023/24 Season Review: Goals flow in August as Villa's campaign begins

Excitement levels were high among the Aston Villa fanbase as Unai Emery kicked off his first full season in charge in August.

The team had come through a tough pre-season schedule in great shape, sharpening their skills in the Premier League Summer Series in the USA before heading into the opening day of the league season on the back of wins against Lazio and Valencia.

However, Villa journeyed to St James’ Park for their first Premier League match of the new campaign having lost Emi Buendía to a season-ending knee ligament injury just three days earlier.

Another major blow was dealt half an hour into the game on Tyneside when Tyrone Mings was stretchered off with a knee injury that would keep him out for the entirety of the season. 

A rough day in Newcastle saw Villa lose 5-1, with the only consolation being a debut goal for summer signing Moussa Diaby.

As has so often been the case during Emery’s tenure, the team bounced back quickly and strongly when they next took to the pitch eight days later.

Everton were demolished 4-0 at Villa Park on the back of a tremendous performance, which saw John McGinn and Douglas Luiz score in the first half before Leon Bailey and Jhon Durán netted in the second.

“It was a match today when I was excited in the beginning to see how we were reacting, and we were really brilliant,” Villa’s manager reflected post-match. 

Villa’s Europa Conference League campaign began three days later in Edinburgh, with a place in the group stages at stake in a play-off tie against Hibernian.

Fans, players and staff were excited ahead of the club’s return to European competition after a 13-year absence, and Emery’s team made up for lost time with a resounding 5-0 triumph at Easter Road.

Ollie Watkins walked away with the match ball after bagging a hat-trick, while Lucas Digne notched three assists and Luiz and Bailey were also on the scoresheet. 

A trip to Turf Moor to play Burnley was next up, and Villa showed no weariness from their European exploits as they secured consecutive Premier League victories. 

Matty Cash marked his 100th appearance for the club with a brace, putting his side 2-0 up in the first 20 minutes.

The hosts hit back but a goal from Diaby just after the hour mark earned a 3-1 win. 

Cash was delighted with the outcome in Lancashire, saying: “The manager spoke before the game and gave us a game plan, and it’s crazy because whatever the manager says, he knows how the game is going to go before. He does that all the time – he’s incredible.

“The game plan today was to sit in a low block, let them have the ball and then catch them on the counter-attack.

“Today I was playing in a different position to what I’m used to, and I’m buzzing with a brace.”

The first month of the season drew to a close with the visit of Hibernian for the second leg of our play-off tie.

And another dominant display ensured it was a comfortable night in B6 as Durán, Bailey and Cash all found the back of the net to earn an 8-0 aggregate victory. 

Debuts for youngsters Omari Kellyman and Seb Revan added to a great night as European football returned to Villa Park.

“I’m very, very happy because we are finishing last season by qualifying for the group stage,” Emery said after the game.

“For me, it’s very important to be in Europe; I think for the club as well and the supporters.

“We can enjoy and be excited about a new way in Europe since 2008/09 when Aston Villa last played in the group stage in Europe.”