From Scapegoat to Stalwart: Lindelof Becomes Emery’s Undroppable at Villa

Aston Villa’s 3-1 dismantling of Nottingham Forest was the result the form book demanded and the response their pride insisted on, but the real headline is Victor Lindelof’s rise from question mark to undroppable under Unai Emery. After a bruising week capped by a heavy defeat to Arsenal, Villa surged back: Ollie Watkins nicked the opener on the stroke of half-time, John McGinn bagged a brace, and only a Morgan Gibbs-White strike briefly rattled the hosts. The victory hoisted Villa up to second and, more importantly, underlined the steel in Emery’s project.

Lindelof, the unlikely cornerstone

Plenty scoffed when Lindelof arrived, memories still fresh of his error-strewn moments elsewhere. And yes, he misjudged one aerial ball that let Gibbs-White in. But let’s be sensible: across the 90 he was authoritative, tidy, and in perfect sync with Ezri Konsa. When a player can shrug off a mistake and dominate the rest, that’s character. No wonder Jamie Redknapp branded him a “flawless signing” after the final whistle — strong words, and hard to argue on current evidence.

Emery’s touch turns doubt into dependability

This is classic Emery. He refines internationals as readily as he polishes prospects, and Lindelof is the latest case study. The Swede has stepped in with Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings sidelined, slotted into the structure, and embraced the manager’s demands — brave starting positions, aggressive line management, and composure under the press. Call it what it is: a coaching clinic. Within months, a player many wrote off looks a snug fit in a high-performing defence.

Partnership with Konsa is blossoming

Konsa’s form has been a metronome for Villa, and Lindelof’s angles and anticipation complement it. One attacks the first ball, the other sweeps; both are comfortable stepping into midfield when the full-backs fly. That chemistry buys time for the injured to return at the right pace — and leaves Emery with a welcome headache when everyone’s back. On current form, dropping Lindelof feels unthinkable.

Big calls, bigger ambitions

From a 4-1 bruising to Arsenal to a composed 3-1 over Forest — that’s the resilience of a top-four contender. The goalscorers will hog the clips, but Villa’s leap to second owes as much to the improved defensive clarity as it does to their slick finishing. If you’re weighing up title outsiders and top-four odds, you’ll find plenty of chatter on the best betting sites — but the eye test says Emery’s men are here on merit.

Bottom line: Emery has taken a calculated punt on Lindelof and turned it into a pillar of the project. The Swede isn’t just filling gaps; he’s setting standards. With whispers that a £75,000-a-week squad member could be moved on in January, the message is obvious — evolve or be eclipsed. For now, Lindelof’s evolving nicely, and Villa are reaping the rewards.