Let Unai Emery cook - he has turned Villa into something special

I can't believe what I'm seeing, not really.

If you had told me that Villa would be in consideration for a European spot after our opening-day loss at Bournemouth - I'd have named you a liar. If you told me that Ollie Watkins would challenge Europe's best strikers after the World Cup, I'd have asked you about your drug dealer.

Even this morning, if you had told me that Unai Emery's luxe Villans would steamroll through an incredibly decent Newcastle side and have us dreaming of - at a push - snatching fourth place - I'd have probably told you to fuck off.

When Tyrone Mings hauled Callum Wilson to the floor, and the final whistle screeched out - and Hi Ho Silver Lining faded in - I still couldn't really grasp what had happened.

Aston Villa had smashed a very good team at home. They had made them look like children. It was pointless for them even turning up, such was the manner of victory. To say that about this Newcastle side is pretty mindblowing.

And Villa pulled it off in a way far from the norm. They didn't shut down, or suffocate Toon. They didn't steal a goal and ride out the storm. They smashed it down NUFC's throat. They were the storm.

It was the day Emery's Villa made a statement, and at the end of a week where there was much debate about the manner of Villa's 'overperformance' since Emery's arrival - after their sheer 'underperformance' under Steven Gerrard, it seemed like the irony gods were listening.

Before we get into the glistening and oh-so-juicy meat of all of this, a quick favour? I bloody love writing this Villa newsletter for you. If you enjoy this and you're signed up, maybe share the word/spread the love? If you're reading this and you aren't signed up, why not sign up (that'd be class from you).

Anyway.

Villa slapped Newcastle around something silly - and the crowd were there for it. Stood up all game, frothing for goals. Backing every Watkins run, every Martinez save, every Mings header. They knew that something special could happen if they urged their Villans onto it. Emery's boys took note quickly, and didn't ever look back.

Alex Moreno, to the tune of 'Viva Moreno' was rampant, as were Emi Buendia and Watkins. As was John McGinn, who showed Dan Burn that he was That Guy. Leander Dendoncker made the absence of Boubacar Kamara look almost a positive with his commanding midfield play. Jacob Ramsey showed his grit, grabbed his goal and one-upped his high-flying younger brother a day after Aaron's incredible performance for Middlesbrough against Norwich. How about that for a family dinner discussion? Ramsey sr. must be proud, chronically proud. Every player was at their best, and shockingly, better than they have been throughout an incredible winning run.

That was Villa's best home game in ages. Everything came together, and pieced itself aside perfectly. It was pure football, and the very best of Villa under Emery.

Sheer disbelief. Thunderous disbelief. That's my main feeling right now, and it is matched by Ollie Watkin's reaction to his third goal. "Did that just happen?"

Yeah, it did actually.

So, onto that overperformance/luck debate that raged on mostly through the arguing the toss back-and-forth over semantics. What does overperforming mean? What does being lucky in football mean?

I'll argue this - overperforming is fucking great. Luck? Interchangeable in my eyes with 'magic', and football is bloody magic when all is going well. Ask Leicester if they cared about overperforming their underlying numbers back in 15/16 when they grabbed a title. Of course, regression followed - and in the long run, they look like they've not truly built upon that magic season like the should've, but they have something that will live forever in their minds. Success seared into their frontal lobes. Did they care about those underlying numbers when Wes Morgan lifted the trophy?

Did they fuck. If there was EVER a time for Villa to overperform, it's right now - when the rest of the top-ten have seemingly decided to shit themselves. When the season is about to run out of chances for Villa to simply stop playing as they are. When the chances for them to be 'found out' erode. Emery has made Villa into a team that have barged into the conversation for ANY European place.

I don't feel that any of the conversation this week takes away from what Emery has performed at Villa. He has corrected the weirdness of the Gerrard regime and made good on the need to avoid the relegation battle that looks like it might consume almost half the Premier League. He has made a mid-table side exactly that, and more - so much more. He's Villa's best decision in ages. If he is to have a little shot at [insert European competition here], then that's that. The job for the season is essentially done - we've gatecrashed the top-ten and the bonus round is coming.

When you're reading and watching analysis of football, especially Villa - nobody anywhere is telling you to not enjoy what you're feeling, or telling you that your emotions and opinions aren't valid. However, we've got this huge benefit when it comes to consuming #content about our club - we're living it, and we're the first to see the magic. We're the first to feel good about it. We're also incredibly bloody biased.

So, if Villa are overperforming, I feel that we've got the right man to ensure that it continues. With upgrades to come in the summer, and a full Emeryball pre-season awaiting - I almost feel anything could happen.

Hell, I feel that right now. Unai Emery's Aston Villa are magic. Enjoy the ride.