Thrillers at the Villa: A calm and classy centre-back, the versatile England defender and a force of nature in midfield… five unsung heroes who have Unai Emery’s boys flying high

Unai Emery is keen to keep expectations in check, but Aston Villa have undergone a remarkable transformation under the Spaniard.

Leon Bailey scored a late winner against Pep Guardiola's side at Villa Park on Wednesday evening to record their third win in four games and lift them above Man City and into third place in the Premier League.

It continues a fantastic season in which they have already beaten Chelsea and Tottenham and they will be seen as serious contenders to claim a place in Europe's elite if they continue their upward trajectory.

The basis of Villa's strong campaign was their home form. They have won an impressive thirteen consecutive Premier League games at Villa Park.

Mail Sport's Jack Gaughan highlights five unsung heroes that the Unai Emery boys hold in high esteem.

Aston Villa has undergone a remarkable transformation under manager Unai Emery

DIEGO CARLOS

Villa spent around £26million on the Brazilian when Steven Gerrard was in charge, but he lost almost his entire debut season in England due to a ruptured Achilles tendon suffered two games into the season.

Carlos had built a reputation at Sevilla as a strong no-nonsense centre-back and is still fighting his way into this team under Unai Emery.

He did a great job of shutting down Erling Haaland on Wednesday night, not having to make a single tackle all night.

He has also had fitness issues this year and Villa need to keep him fit given Tyrone Mings' lengthy absence

Diego Carlos did an excellent job of nullifying Erling Haaland on Wednesday night

EZRI KONSA

With a first England call-up now under his belt, Konsa is flourishing and showing versatility for Emery.

Matty Cash was dropped to the bench in midweek, with Konsa tasked with keeping Phil Foden quiet from right-back rather than his normal central berth.

There is an element of the 26-year-old that has remained in the shadows and overlooked by others, but he now deserves well-deserved praise.

Even from the back four, Villa gives energy.

Ezri Konsa (L) and Boubacar Kamara have played a key role in Aston Villa's revival

PAU TORRES

Torres, who has always been linked with the Premier League, secured a £31m move from Villarreal last summer.

Emery coached him for two years in Spain, where he defeated Manchester United in the 2021 Europa League final, and it was only a matter of time before he came to England.

Stylish on the ball and never nervous, Torres is a calming influence amid the chaos.

Positionally good and provides nice balance on the left side of a central defensive combination

BOUBACAR KAMARA

Another contract signed by Gerrard and now truly blossoming, Kamara is a force of nature in central midfield.

Almost always present in the Premier League so far, doing the dirty work so that others who are ahead can gain advantages.

No one made more than Kamara's three interceptions in the win over Manchester City. All three were in very different parts of the field, showing just how much ground he covers. His pass completion rate of 89 percent wouldn't be out of place in the best City team

Striker Leon Bailey has only just fought his way back into Emery's favored starting XI

LEON BAILEY

The Jamaican has only just fought his way back into Emery's favored starting XI, with the impressive Moussa Diaby usually selected on the right wing.

Now has two goals in two, after also scoring at Bournemouth on Sunday. Once again this season, there are three in four league starts, and Bailey always offers a threat in the final third of the field.

The way he terrorized Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol by hugging the touchline to stretch City's system showed the options available to Emery as Villa chase a Champions League place.