BENCHMARK OF SUCCESS

Super subs show Villa have real depth in push for glory

- BY ALAN SMITH

IT was the perfect example of why depth has become a pivotal ingredient to success.

Aston Villa were not at their best for 70 minutes against the Premier League’s weakest team, struggling to convert territorial dominance into clear chances.

Then Unai Emery called on the cavalry and the Villans became the first side in the competition's history to have three different substitutes score in the same match.

From the moment Ollie Watkins broke the deadlock with arguably the finest of his 73 goals for the club, they were devastatingly effective.

That Donyell Malen (top circle) and John McGinn scored the others strengthened Emery’s “argument” that options are a necessity when a team is battling on multiple fronts.