Even disregarding the unfortunate mistake by referee Thomas Brammel in our Villans’ last game of last season, their performance from January 2025 until the end of the season was remarkable. Starting with Leicester, they completed five doubles (Leicester, Everton, Brentford, Southampton, and Fulham), five wins of their total of eleven wins, they only conceded one goal – part of an impressive record of only allowing 20 goals in 19 matches. If they had been as effective defensively in the first half, they would have had the second-best defensive record in the league, behind Arsenal.
The impact on their points tally was dramatic. At the break, with a points tally of 29 from their first half’s 19 games, they were languishing. The improved defensive performance in the second half meant that they would gain 37 points against the same opponents, a total that would have seen them tied for second place if maintained over a full season.
Also noticeable was the consistency of Ollie Watkins who counted eight of his goals of his total of 16 goals for the season. As for assists, he had four assists of his total of eight assists for the season in the second half. While the team was playing better defense, Ollie was maintaining his productivity – in fact, many of his goals were on fast breaks (e.g., his goal, one on one with Jordan Pickford at Goodison Park against Everton that was the only goal of the game).