‘It’s ridiculous’… Micah Richards says something ‘weird’ has happened at Aston Villa this season

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Pundit Micah Richards has now been discussing something that he’s spotted at Aston Villa under Unai Emery this season.

Emery and his Villa side rectified their recent home form on Saturday, putting four past Nottingham Forest.

And the win did end a run of three defeats at Villa Park in all competitions, which came as a surprise given how much of a fortress it has proved this season.

But with that win, and Tottenham Hotspur not having a game this weekend, Villa are now five points clear in fourth position.

Emery is currently dealing with his fair share of injuries at the back, which was evident in the goals they conceded to Forest, but his attackers are stepping up to allay any fears.

Ollie Watkins and Leon Bailey were particularly impressive on Saturday, with the latter demonstrating he can be a key player.

And when speaking on ‘The Rest Is Football’ podcast, Micah Richards did discuss a recent change Emery has made to get the best out of those players.

Richards confessed that he really wanted Villa to do well this season, and admitted it was strange that his wish quickly became a reality.

Micah Richards thinks Unai Emery has handled Boubacar Kamara’s injury brilliantly at Villa

Richards thought Villa had been incredibly good this season, and have potentially unlocked a new dimension with how they’ve reacted to Boubacar Kamara’s disappointing injury.

He said: “Villa is weird! They are so good now it’s ridiculous.

“You know when you want a team to do well but it’s always more hope than reality. But the way Unai Emery has them playing is just amazing.

“They lost Kamara to injury, they bring in [Youri] Tielemans and [John] McGinn drops in a bit deeper so they have a box in midfield, which opens the space for Bailey to do whatever he wants to do.”

Of course, it does now feel as if Bailey really will make the most of that opportunity too.

Still only 26-years-old, it’s always felt as if there’s been more to come from the Jamaican, a player with so much promise but perhaps a little inconsistent.

But with the opportunity he may now get, and with Villa’s foundation to achieve in the final few months, he could become crucial.

And whilst Richards is right to praise Emery for how he’s adjusted his Villa side, there will be a concern about more goals being conceded in the absence of Kamara.

All that being said, Villa are perhaps already putting plans in place to improve their squad depth next season.