7500 to Holte 2023/24 Season Predictions: How will Aston Villa’s season turn out?

Predicting how a full season is going to play out is a fool’s game, and we’re here to be those fools for you.

Ahead of perhaps the most-anticipated season in recent memory for Aston Villa fans, some of our staff looked into the crystal ball and mapped out how they see 2023-24 going for Unai Emery’s men.

*Disclaimer: please don’t hold us to these next May.

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Phil Vogel (@PBVogel)

Top goalscorer: Moussa Diaby

I think with all the attention that Ollie Watkins will get (rightfully so), Diaby will spend a lot of time playing off him and scoring. With the expected rotation amid different competitions, I think Diaby will also be a super-sub in the games he doesn’t start. No tired defender wants to see him come onto the pitch after 70 minutes.

Player of the Season: Tyrone Mings

I think the big man is going to love playing with more freedom in the back. There will be some growing pains as the team adjusts to the new plans and patterns but Mings is smart enough and adaptable enough to flourish. He is also going to be looking at trying to nail down his England spot.

Biggest surprise performer: Matty Cash

Hear me out, I know he isn’t a young player or really a huge surprise. But think about the post-World Cup period when Emery didn’t play him and when he kinda disappeared in some games. I think the fact that the team hasn’t signed another true full-back or wing-back (yes, Konsa can play there but clearly he is a very different type of wide defender) means that there is trust from the manager. Clearly, everything here changes if another player comes in before the window, but I think Cash is set up for a big year.

Who needs to step up? Ollie Watkins

The club trusts him. The team trusts him. The managers trust him. But there isn’t much behind him and it appears a contract isn’t there yet (there has been zero actual information about the process but it seems a surprise that nothing is done yet). He is the focal point up top and needs to continue his excellent form. And, when the form does dip, supporters need to stay behind him because we know he will give his all the goals will come. Also, work on those spot-kicks.

Predictions:

• League Cup: Quarter-finals
• FA Cup: Semi-finals
• Europa Conference League: quarter-finals
• Premier League: 6th

Bold shout?

Watkins, Diaby, and Leon Bailey will all rack up double-digit goal tallies across all competitions.

Photo by THILO SCHMUELGEN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

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Tyler Press (@haq_a_shaq)

Top goalscorer: Ollie Watkins

All Villa did this summer is sign players who are going to provide Watkins even more chances to rack up goals. He’s got minimal competition for minutes with all due respect to Cameron Archer and Jhon Durán. I do think his missed penalties (another one against Lazio) will mean that he might not take them anymore so he may lose out on a few goals there but it doesn’t matter.

Player of the Season: John McGinn

We’ve heard for years that if McGinn can get farther up the pitch then he could transfer his Scotland international form to the Premier League. Last season he had an amazing mid-season turnaround under Emery and is now surrounded by quality mid-field talent which will give him complete freedom to operate. He’s 28 years old, in the thick of his prime, and is set up for his greatest season in claret and blue.

Biggest surprise performer: Youri Tielemans

For some reason, the internet conspired to convince the toxic part of the fanbase that Tielemans was fat and washed. Maybe that motivated him to dominate in pre-season because he was nearly perfect. That 15-20 yard carry and 30-yard through ball to Watkins to break the lines for the first goal against Lazio looked effortless. I think he might start the season on the bench, but I think we’re going to see him regularly rotated into the starting XI.

Who needs to step up? Matty Cash and Robin Olsen

I could not pick between them, so I cheated and did both. Cash is under immediate pressure with Ezri Cafu...I mean, Hutton...I mean, Konsa looking more than ready to take that right-sided defender role away from him if Emery so chooses. Meanwhile, Olsen can’t hide anymore. Emi Martínez can’t play every game on the schedule this season, so Olsen needs to shape up or ship out. Villa let Viljami Sinisalo go on loan to Exeter City (my favorite lower-league club) and didn’t put much effort into finding a third keeper to challenge for the back-up role. That means that Emery backs the Swede, but he’s on a short leash.

Predictions:

• League Cup: Semi-finals
• FA Cup: Quarter-finals
• Europa Conference League: Champions!
• Premier League: 5th

Bold shouts?

1. Villa will go from 10th in goals scored last season to the top four.
2. This season will be McGinn’s first time with a double-digit goals and assists total in the Premier League.
3. Villa will beat Manchester City for the first time since 2013.

Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images

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Tom Nightingale (@tdnightingale)

Top goalscorer: Ollie Watkins

Watkins has never scored fewer than 11 goals in a Premier League season and he’s not about to start now. Moussa Diaby is in with a shout, too — if all goes well in his debut campaign, he’ll hit double figures in all competitions. But Watkins has more fuel for his fire with the additions of Diaby and Tielemans (and even Pau Torres’ long passes from defence), and he is well set to have the most profitable season of his career in front of goal. Watkins also has the seemingly limitless energy levels of an Energizer bunny, so expect him to play more than his fair share of European and cup games, too.

Player of the Season: Youri Tielemans

Speaking of Tielemans, I genuinely think he has what it takes to be Villa’s player of the season. Competition for midfield places is strong, but the Belgian has absolutely buckets of two-way talent and the kind of mixture of abilities that most midfielders would die for. Win a vital tackle on the edge of his own box? Check. Late run into the opposition box? Check. Spray passes to all corners of the pitch? Check. Find the top corner from 25 yards? Check. He’s my favourite signing of the summer and fans will fall in love.

Biggest surprise performer: Cameron Archer (or whoever the new guy is)

OK, so, a big old disclaimer here given Wednesday’s report that Villa may be open to selling Archer for the right price. I think by this point almost all of us are convinced that Archer can play a large role in Villa’s season. But if he stays, I think he’ll go beyond most people’s expectations of him this season, scoring half a dozen times in the league from the bench, proving he can step in as a deputy if Watkins needs a rest, and tormenting defences in cup competitions and in the early rounds of Europe. I genuinely believe he has the capacity to go from Championship standout to universal acclaim as one of the best back-up strikers in the Premier League. If he leaves, whoever comes in needs to do exactly the same thing.

Who needs to step up? Leon Bailey

Leon, Leon, Leon. What are you if you are not an enigma?

He’s talented, he’s hopeless, he’s dangerous, he’s ineffective, he’s good enough, he’s not good enough. All of these things have been true at some point of his Villa career so far, and this is a huge season for the Jamaican. His mate from Bayer Leverkusen is here and he’s had a full pre-season under Emery. If he shows his good side more often than not, he can be a real weapon for us. But, if this season isn’t the season in which he proves he can find some kind of consistency, I’d bet on it being his last season here.

Predictions:

• League Cup: 5th round
• FA Cup: Quarter-finals
• Europa Conference League: Quarter-finals
• Premier League: 5th

Bold shouts?

Cam Archer if he stays will score more than one matchwinner goal from the bench in the league this year. Moussa Diaby will net a hat-trick at some point. Villa will win a damn FA Cup match for the first time since 2016. By the way, if Villa do finish 5th in the league, we could well qualify for the Champions League!

Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images

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Jake Fenicle (@jakefeni)

Top goalscorer: Ollie Watkins

Watkins has been Villa’s top goalscorer in each of the past three seasons, and he’s still the go-to forward heading into this season. I was tempted to opt for Moussa Diaby here, but I think he will help Watkins keep firing 10+ this season. If only Ollie was a stud penalty-kick taker…

Player of the Season: Moussa Diaby

Moussa Diaby, baby! For me, he’s been Villa’s signing of the summer and he was also a pre-season standout, scoring goals and adding another dimension to our attack. He’s going to elevate us to the next level.

Biggest surprise performer: Youri Tielemans

OK, so I’m not sure if it would be a surprise to many, but I’m counting it in the sense that he is going to apply pressure and potentially mix up the “locked-in” midfield of Boubacar Kamara and Douglas Luiz. What a signing for free.

Who needs to step up? Ollie Watkins

Yes, I said I think he’ll be our top scorer. But if he’s not scoring, Villa may be in trouble. Look at the impact he had on the team as a whole when he stepped up last season under Unai. That scoring streak he had is a *huge* reason for the seventh-place finish. A step down could be a problem. Another step up, and Villa will be flying.

Predictions:

• League Cup: Out to a lower-league team
• FA Cup: Final (let me dream)
• Europa Conference League: Advance from playoff, knocked out in group stage (ducks and hides)
• Premier League: 8th

Bold shout?

Villa won’t lose at home against any of the big six this season. Unai’s fortress!

Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images

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Bennett Berry (@bennettberry)

Top goalscorer: Ollie Watkins

Watkins bagged 15 last season and, with a full pre-season and season under Emery, I think he nets 19 this term.

Player of the Season: Douglas Luiz

Pleasingly, there are several candidates. I would have had Jacob Ramsey as a dark horse, but his injury muddies the water here. Given that, I like Douglas Luiz to repeat his award-winning campaign last season, and John McGinn to also impress.

Biggest surprise performer: Jaden Philogene

If you can still call him a surprise after his pre-season, I think Philogene could have a breakout year. With Ramsey temporarily sidelined, he’s going to have the opportunity to shine and I think he will.

Who needs to step up? Philippe Coutinho

Assuming he isn’t being sold, Coutinho will have a role to play and he needs to hit another level. Villa need depth with Europe and he’s a player that hasn’t played up to expectations thus far in his time in Birmingham.

Predictions:

• League Cup: 4th round
• FA Cup: 5th round
• Europa Conference League: Final
• Premier League: 6th

Bold Shout?

Villa will run rampant in December, beating City and Arsenal at home and walloping United 4-1 at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.

Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images

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Aidan Mifsud (@aidanmsa)

Top goalscorer: Ollie Watkins

At this point, before the transfer window closes and with no suggestion that another big-name striker is coming, we all have to hope that the answer is Watkins. If our main centre-forward is not doing what he is in the team to do above anyone else, then we may be struggling for goals this season. Hopefully, Diaby will chip in with quite a few too.

Player of the Season: Tyrone Mings

In my head, this is a toss-up between Mings and Tielemans, but the latter can easily be the answer to the next question. Mings showed incredible improvement last season under Emery. He seems to be enjoying his football more and more, and his presence and confidence on the pitch looks like it can hit new heights.

Surprise performer: Youri Tielemans

My pre-season player to watch choice was Jaden Philogene. And, after some very impressive performances, I still believe that if given the opportunity he could have fans out of their seats this season.

I will, however, give the edge to Youri Tielemans. Many fans may have been a bit sceptical about his drive and energy but what we saw in pre-season is a player who looks like he could be bossing the midfield, and pulling the strings for many a Villa attack.

Who needs to step up? Moussa Diaby

Before the terrible news of his injury, I’d have said the most improvement needs to come from Emi Buendía, who has a reputation as a game-changing magician. Now, a few others come to mind. Archer and/or Durán need to show they can be useful back-ups to Watkins. Some may say Cash needs to up his game if no new right-back comes in, but I feel he has always played at his best anyway.

While it may be hard to put Diaby, a new signing, in the “must step-up” category, I do hope he takes some of the scoring burden off Watkins. Diaby offers different attributes to Watkins, not least pace and directness in attack, and if both of them can fire on all cylinders throughout the season, it can help us reach that higher level.

Predictions:

• League Cup: Semi-finals
• FA Cup: Quarter-final
• Europa Conference League: quarter-finals
• Premier League: 6th

Bold shout?

I am trying to keep all my optimism in check. But could this be the season we are seriously challenging for a Champions League spot right up until the last few weeks? I’m not sure and I think my bold statement, as tentatively negative as it may seem, is that we won’t be as close as many fans think we might be. It’s going to be a very, very competitive Premier League and a step up to a Europa League spot will be an improvement.

Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images