There was a moment midway through the second half at Villa Park when the crowd began to chant one name. “Malen! Malen! Malen!” echoed around the ground, not as a plea but as a celebration. Donyell Malen, the Dutchman who has flitted in and out of Unai Emery’s plans since arriving from Borussia Dortmund, had just slammed home his second of the afternoon. It was a goal of such conviction and timing that it felt like a statement, not just of individual intent but of collective resurgence.

Villa’s 2–1 win over Burnley was our fourth on the bounce in all competitions and marked Emery’s 150th game in charge. It was also his 80th victory, a milestone reached faster than any manager in the club’s modern history. Yet it was Malen’s performance that stole the show. Having started just three league matches prior to this one, he seized his opportunity. The first goal was all about instinct and balance, a deft touch across Martin Dubravka after Boubacar Kamara’s defence-splitting pass. The second, a thunderous strike into the far corner after a clever ball from Morgan Rogers.

Rogers, too, deserves credit. The young midfielder was at the...