Former Aston Villa coach Roy Keane was full of praise for an ‘absolutely brilliant’ Douglas Luiz as the Premier League giants came from behind to beat Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
If a certain James Ward-Prowse didn’t exist on this plane of reality, then we would probably be talking about Aston Villa’s Brazil international as the best deliverer of a set piece in English football.
Douglas Luiz, a master from set piece situations these days, picked out Pau Torres with a glorious free-kick on the stroke of half time, the Spaniard heading past Guglielmo Vicario and laying the foundations for a superb comeback victory secured via Ollie Watkins’ second half winner.
Bend it like Beckham. Whip it like Ward-Prowse. Deliver it like Douglas.
Douglas Luiz shines as Aston Villa beat Tottenham
“Absolutely brilliant,” was the assessment of Roy Keane; the Manchester United legend and former Aston Villa coach covering proceedings for Sky Sports (26 November, 5pm).
That was Luiz’ third assist of the season, to go with his six goals. For a player who often did most of his best work in the defensive third under Dean Smith not so long ago, his emergence as one of the finest creative midfielders in the Premier League is another glowing testament to Unai Emery’s impeccable coaching.
“He’s playing very good. He’s improved a lot. His commitment is amazing,” Emery told Sky at full-time, playing down reports linkng Luiz (once again) with long-time admirers Arsenal.
“I am very happy with him, and I want to keep him of course. I think he’s happy with us. He’s coming on with his national team. And his performance like today was amazing. I want him (to stay).”
Villa chase Champions League
Aston Villa’s latest eye-catching win took them above early-season pacesetters Tottenham in fourth. This is the first time Villa have occupied a Champions League place at this stage of a campaign since all the way back in 2009, when they would eventually finish sixth under Martin O’Neill.
Villa travel to Bournemouth next weekend.
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