Aston Villa Break Their Premier League Duck as Italian Stars Shine and Young Chelsea Defender Draws Comparisons to Rio Ferdinand

Aston Villa recorded their first Premier League victory of the 2025/26 campaign with an encouraging 3-1 comeback against Fulham at Villa Park on Sunday. Early on, it looked as if the visitors might carry their momentum into the match with Raul Jimenez opening the scoring in the third minute with a classic header. However, Villa fought back, thanks to Ollie Watkins who netted his first Premier League goal of the season just before half-time, breaking a run of 700 scoreless minutes for him in the league.

The second half saw Unai Emery’s tactical adjustments pay dividends. The introduction of Emiliano Buendia turned the tide as he quickly set up John McGinn’s low strike to give Villa the lead before finding the net himself just minutes later. Villa then held firm to seal a morale-boosting 3-1 victory that lifts them out of the relegation zone into 16th place with six points from six games. Fulham slipped to 10th as their profligacy after Jimenez’s early injury substitution proved costly.

Unai Emery reflected on the result, saying, "To win is the consequence of how you are building the team, how you are individually and tactically as well, being consistent and being demanding. We are getting better. We started so, so poor but then after the break we drew with Everton, Sunderland and Brentford. We were more or less getting balanced but not enough, performing better but not enough."

Meanwhile, the international break offered a moment to assess the performances of Italy's 11 current Premier League players. Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali led the charge with an impressive 8/10 rating for his consistent creative output characterized by a remarkable 102 successful final-third passes among those playing over 600 minutes. Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario has been pivotal for Tottenham Hotspur, earning a 9/10, having prevented more goals than any other Premier League keeper thus far. Liverpool’s Federico Chiesa has also impressed, quickly becoming a fan favorite with key goals and consistent performances rated at 8/10. Other Italian talents like Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori and Manchester City’s Gianluigi Donnarumma have established themselves as solid starters, showcasing a blend of defensive discipline and attacking intent.

At the other end, some Italians are facing challenges. Leeds United’s Wilfried Gnonto has struggled with injury, scoring less impact than last season, while young Liverpool defender Giovanni Leoni suffered a crushing ACL injury in his debut and will face a long road to recovery. Brighton’s Diego Coppola and Nottingham Forest’s Nicolo Savona have found it hard to cement regular first-team roles but are expected to gain more minutes after the international period.

Back at club level, Chelsea’s teenage defender Josh Acheampong received high praise from former Blues player Jason Cundy. Acheampong’s composed performance at centre-back alongside Benoit Badiashile in a recent 2-1 victory over Liverpool caught the eye. Cundy remarked, "He reminded me, and this is high praise, I don’t want to put too much pressure on him, but a young Rio Ferdinand when I used to see him at West Ham when he first got in the first team. He would carry the ball. It would open up, and he would just travel, head up, and then pick the right pass." Acheampong’s versatility and confidence on the ball mark him as a key prospect for Chelsea amid ongoing injury challenges in defense.

In Fantasy Premier League circles, Gameweek 7 bonus points highlighted standout performers including Everton’s Jack Grealish, Arsenal’s Rice, Manchester City’s Haaland, and AFC Bournemouth’s Semenyo. These individual accolades mirror the season’s emerging narratives of key players making decisive impacts across the division.

September's EA SPORTS Player of the Month nominees further emphasize the season’s top talents. Erling Haaland led with five goals and an assist in September, doubling anyone else's combined contributions. Crystal Palace’s Daichi Kamada impressed in midfield for the unbeaten Eagles, while Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh provided crucial goals and assists. Sunderland's Robin Roefs and Granit Xhaka were vital in their team's unexpectedly strong start, while Arsenal’s Martin Zubimendi impressed with his first league goals. These nominations underscore the Premier League’s competitive intensity as teams gear up for the international break and the months ahead.

As Aston Villa build momentum, Italy’s contingent solidifies their Premier League credentials, and young talents like Josh Acheampong emerge, the 2025/26 season promises compelling storylines. Emirates Stadium awaits Arsenal's next move, Villa Park prepares for Burnley, and the continent’s stars bring their flair to England’s top flight – a football spectacle that continues to captivate fans worldwide.