Emery has Villa firing on all cylinders again!

VILLA head into the second international break of the season with four wins on the spin.

- By JOHN TOWNLEY

The mood around the club is a far cry from a few weeks ago, when Unai Emery's side couldn't buy a goal, let alone a win.

But after beating Burnley 2-1 at Villa Park on Sunday, Villa have not only turned their Premier League form around but also built on their perfect start to the Europa League over the last fortnight.

Donyell Malen scored both goals against the Clarets, though Emi Martinez was denied a clean sheet when Lesley Ugochukwu headed past him in the 78th minute. Here are the talking points.

Emery unlocks best of Malen

The Dutchman made his 21st Premier League appearance, but only his fourth start. In those starts, he has scored three goals, having also netted against Nottingham Forest at Villa Park in April.

Sunday's brace was the first time Malen has scored twice in a game across all competitions since February 2024, when he struck for Borussia Dortmund against SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga.

What gives Villa fans hope this won't be another false start is the different role he played. Operating centrally in the position Moussa Diaby often filled, Malen was able to utilise his best qualities.

Villa were crying out for pace at the start of the season, and finding a way to get both Malen and Evann Guessand into the same side would certainly address that.