Aston Villa answering mentality questions, Emi Buendia proud of perfect week, Amadou Onana’s growing importance and a transfer round-up
12:24, 26 Jan 2026Updated 12:48, 26 Jan 2026
Aston Villa beat Newcastle United on Sunday(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
Aston Villa ended a 21-year hoodoo on Tyneside on Sunday afternoon, earning their first win at St. James’ Park since 2005.
Emi Buendia struck a first-half stunner before Ollie Watkins headed in Lucas Digne’s cross late on to double the lead.
Unai Emery’s side are now 10 points ahead of Liverpool in sixth and just four off league leaders Arsenal, after the Gunners lost 3-2 at home to Manchester United.
Villa’s win over Newcastle was made all the more impressive considering the effort they put into beating Fenerbahce on Thursday night.
Villa answering mentality questions
Nobody can take away the incredible job Emery, his staff and players have done at Villa over the last three years.
One sticking point remains: getting over the line to win a trophy. With the experiences built up during Emery’s tenure, now feels like the time to lift silverware.
Defeats to Olympiacos, Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Monaco last season are examples some supporters point to when explaining why they still need convincing that this team can take the final step.
However, in the last week, Villa have shown their character in abundance, winning at Fenerbahce and Newcastle within the space of 66 hours.
Against the backdrop of a January window that has been somewhat unsettling, and several injury issues, those successive wins represent a huge step in the right direction.
Villa will miss Boubacar Kamara and John McGinn, with the former out for the season and the club captain sidelined for around six weeks.
Youri Tielemans is the latest player to pick up an injury issue and is now being assessed by the club’s medical staff.
Villa have also earned more points from losing positions in the league this season, demonstrating that this group are building a sterner mentality – one that can take them all the way this season, remain competitive at the top, and deliver a trophy.
Away from home, Villa have won the joint-most points of any team (21), level with leaders Arsenal.
Content cannot be displayed without consentBuendia proud of Villa’s perfect week
Thanks to Buendia’s opener at Newcastle, Villa led at half-time in an away Premier League game for the first time this season. Only Burnley and Wolves have yet to achieve that feat.
Emery’s side have also netted 13 goals from outside the penalty area in the league this season – the most in the division – and their highest total in a top-flight season since 2007-08 (16).
“We haven’t had success in this stadium for a while and we knew how difficult they make it for opponents,” Buendia told the BBC after full-time. “We fought for every ball and had patience in possession.
“It’s a tough schedule for us, but this is what we want – to play in European competitions and fight for these places in the Premier League. We have to adapt, fight, recover and go again. I am really proud of this team. We made a huge effort on Thursday and again today.
“We have to keep fighting until the end. We know what we want to achieve – competing for Champions League spots. Scoring is always a nice feeling, but the main thing is helping the team. To open the game with that kind of goal helped swing the momentum in our favour. I’m really happy, and we deserved the three points.”
Onana’s growing importance
Without Kamara for the remainder of the season, McGinn for the next six weeks, and possibly Tielemans for a period too, Amadou Onana could become the most important player in Emery’s squad over the coming weeks.
While Tielemans will be monitored in the coming days, there’s no doubt a fully fit Onana will play a key role in the next month.
Villa play five of their next six matches at home, which will be welcomed by Emery given the growing injury list.
In fact, the only time Villa will travel outside the West Midlands in the next six weeks is a trip to Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium next weekend, following home games against RB Salzburg and Brentford.
Onana is looking every bit a £50 million player. Without the industry and tenacity of Kamara and McGinn, greater responsibility will fall on his off-the-ball work and running.
Lamare Bogarde will also need to step up and continue his impressive season, while Ross Barkley is nearing a return after a long spell on the sidelines with a knee injury.
Transfer round-up
While it’s another important week of fixtures – with Villa looking to secure a top-two spot in their Europa League group and make it back-to-back league wins on Sunday – the January transfer window is nearing its conclusion.
Deadline day falls on Monday, February 2, 2026, with the Premier League window shutting at 7pm.
Tammy Abraham is expected to become Villa’s third signing shortly, following the arrivals of youngsters Alysson and Brian Madjo.
With injuries piling up in midfield, another body could be required to help Villa over the line in the league and compete for Europa League glory.
There is an interest in several options, including Ruben Loftus-Cheek of AC Milan.
With Leon Bailey’s return to the squad following the cancellation of his loan at Roma, there is less need for additional attacking reinforcements.
Villa will remain alert to any opportunities until the deadline, with Roberto Olabe and Damian Vidagany continuing to work closely with the club’s recruitment team to give Emery the best chance of success in the final third of the campaign.
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