In a recent interview, Arsenal legend and Sky Sports pundit Thierry Henry revealed who he believes is the most underrated player in the Premier League. The answer might surprise you - it's someone he used to coach.
Another big clue is that the player in question plays for Aston Villa.
Aston Villa’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season were significantly boosted this past Saturday. Under Unai Emery’s guidance, they defeated Southampton 3-0, leaving them in seventh position and just one point behind Man City.
The team is set to play PSG in the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final tie on Tuesday. Despite initial uncertainty about which team Emery would field against Southampton, their 3-0 victory has boosted confidence levels within the squad. Marcus Rashford expressed optimism that Aston Villa could overcome PSG this week to advance to the semi-finals.
One player who could significantly influence this outcome is Youri Tielemans. After his impressive display over the weekend, Thierry Henry was full of praise for him.
Tielemans' key role at Villa
Tielemans has been instrumental in Emery’s successful tenure at Aston Villa this season. He has featured for them 47 times so far and contributed three goals along with nine assists – two of which came from their last two Premier League matches.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, after Ollie Watkins’ goal (which mirrored Morgan Rogers’ strike against Nottingham Forest), Thierry Henry lauded Tielemans' passing skills:
“If you are Southampton, that is the last man you want on the ball. If you have been looking at Villa recently, you know that Tielemans has improved in his passing forward.”
An under-the-radar gem in midfield
Despite being one of England's top-flight players for years now and showcasing consistent performance, many consider the 27-year-old Belgian to be one of the most underrated players in the Premier League.
Tielemans moved to Villa Park from Leicester City in 2023. Although his start at Aston Villa was not smooth, and there were even talks about him leaving last summer, he has since become a key player for Emery. He has played a crucial role in shaping how Emery wants his team to perform and has clocked up an impressive 4042 minutes of action.
Tielemans' impact on English football extends beyond Aston Villa. He also had a significant influence at Leicester, with his FA Cup final goal being a standout moment.
As Tielemans begins to receive recognition for his contributions, Aston Villa fans are hopeful that he can guide them towards an FA Cup title just as he did with Leicester.
The journey ahead is exciting, and all eyes will be on this underrated star as he continues to shine on the pitch.
