Alex Moreno secret revealed as Aston Villa ace continues rapid Premier League rise

Alex Moreno continued his fine form for Aston Villa with an ultra-impressive performance against Newcastle United on Saturday afternoon, showcasing his wide skillset as one of the best players on the field. Unai Emery was full of praise for the left-back after the game as he gave an insight into his rather stratospheric rise and revealed a key component of his tactics.

It took Moreno a few games to build some consistency after signing for £18 million in January, but he has adjusted very quickly to become a key player in a side now in genuine contention for European qualification. The Spaniard’s display against Newcastle - for which he got a 9/10 in our player ratings - was not only a perfect example of his personal development but also of Villa’s progression in attack.

“Alex Moreno is improving and is adapting very well,” Emery said post-match. “At the beginning [after signing], he was struggling because of the rhythm here is hard. I remember the first match against Leeds when he came in for the injured Lucas Digne, he struggled a bit with the rhythm. Progressively, his adaptation has been very quick and now I think his performances are at the same level as the team,” Emery continued with a smile.

Left-back counterpart Lucas Digne has struggled to get any game time of late - even off the bench - as Moreno has been that good for Villa. He was sensational in the win over Newcastle, registering five crosses, five touches in the opposition box, three chances created, three duels won, and two completed take-ons. He even got an assist as the icing on the cake and could have had two if Ollie Watkins didn’t have a goal ruled out for a tight offside.

As is the genius of Emery and his ideas, Moreno’s top form isn’t down to coincidence, with some key thinking behind the defender’s success. “Moreno’s best quality is his speed. In the attacking third, he is getting into the box and finding not only crosses, passes as well - very good,” Emery said.

“Now, what we have decided for him - because his quality I knew before from Spain - I like sometimes the one side using the right or left back higher. We are doing it with the left-back higher than the right-back because I like to use him [Moreno] higher and more aggressive in attack,” Emery explained.

It has to be said, the logic makes sense - especially in Matty Cash’s absence - as Ashley Young’s attributes are better suited to defending at the tail end of his career. Moreno getting in advanced positions has worked a treat for Villa and for Watkins, as the pair have developed quite the connection on the left flank.

With seven matches to go, the Villans are now in a very strong position in the European fight having reached the 50-point mark. Brighton & Hove Albion, Liverpool and Manchester United may have all played two fewer matches, but it won’t matter a great deal if Emery’s side can keep up their remarkable momentum.