Aston Villa fans have given their player ratings throughout January and our first power rankings of 2026 have identified a surprising Player of the Month.

Villa haven’t been in the best of form since the turn of the year, especially in the Premier League, but there have been a few bright spots worth acknowledging.

It’s a bit of a mixed bag because of mathematics (you can see what I mean in the October power rankings) but our AVF Power Rankings are here nonetheless. Leaning on an average when some players only have a few minutes on the pitch is flawed but it’s just for fun anyway.

The process is simple: each month, we’ll be taking an average of your post-match player ratings (scored out of 10) for the matches played in that month and ranking the players based upon those averages.

Here’s January.

1 | Kadan Young (8.0)

See what I mean? One appearance, one key assist and a subsequent loan to Reading. Nailed it.

2 | Marco Bizot (7.3)

Bizot was an able stand-in during the absences of Villa’s number one in January and was at fault for fewer of the goals conceded by Villa across the month.

=3 | Jamaldeen Jimoh-Aloba (7.0)

Like Young, Jimoh-Aloba came in, made his mark – scoring the winner against Red Bull Salzburg, in his case – and has since been sent out on loan. He returned to West Bromwich Albion for the rest of the season.

=3 | Youri Tielemans (7.0)

Still some way from a return from an injury lay-off, the absence of Tielemans in Villa’s midfield is really starting to show. Despite one or two slow starts, the Belgium captain was always a positive influence.

=5 | Morgan Rogers (6.9)

Villa don’t function as well without Tielemans in midfield but they wouldn’t function at all without Rogers, through whom everything good now seems to flow. January confirmed the rather obvious point that he can’t do it all on his own.

=5 | Tyrone Mings (6.9)

Mings came back from injury and was largely dominant in the back four when required. One noteworthy error inevitably reduced his average but it’s great to have him back.

=7 | Matty Cash (6.8)

Another solid month for Cashy, who’s having quite the season as Villa’s main and usually only right-back. He isn’t targeted by the opposition nearly as much as he used to be.

=7 | Ezri Konsa (6.8)

Konsa remains as reliable as ever and the difference is striking whenever Unai Emery takes the chance to rest him. Captaining the team in the absence of John McGinn is serving the centre-back well.

=7 | Emiliano Martínez (6.8)

It was more of the same from Villa’s goalkeeper, who can lay claim to a big individual contribution to some of the points gained but made some awful errors too.

=10 | Emi Buendía (6.6)

Little Emi has been one of Villa’s most important players this season and that continued into the month of January. He’s had some quieter games as well, hence a lower average than his overall usefulness.

=10 | Amadou Onana (6.6)

It’s very apparent when Onana isn’t available, not least when the other players around him aren’t available either. He’s far from perfect but Villa really need him at the moment.

=10 | John McGinn (6.6)

Villa’s skipper will be absent for many more weeks after the injury he sustained against Everton in January. Like most of his teammates, he was mostly playing well but participated in some absolute stinkers too.

=13 | Victor Lindelöf (6.5)

Back in the shadows after an impressive spell as a stand-in central defender, Lindelöf has repaid Emery’s faith in him many times over.

=13 | Jadon Sancho (6.5)

Manchester United loanee Sancho is gradually increasing his impact, scoring his first Villa goal in a crucial European win and performing well in several games.

15 | Boubacar Kamara (6.4)

We miss you, Bouba.

=16 | Ian Maatsen (6.2)

Now established as Villa’s top left-back, Maatsen has been another player with a month of quality performances on the one hand and quieter matches on the other.

=16 | Lucas Digne (6.2)

Digne has been primarily used off the bench as late and, I think, has been performing just fine when called upon as a substitute.

18 | Donyell Malen (6.1)

It doesn’t matter much now, does it?

=19 | George Hemmings (6.0)

Hemmings showed some real positives in his brief appearances but clearly struggled in his 45 minutes against Salzburg in the Europa League.

=19 | Harvey Elliott (6.0)

Elliott isn’t going anywhere this season. It’s a real shame all round and it’s been nice to see him giving his all in a couple of games.

=19 | Leon Bailey (6.0)

After returning early from his loan at Roma, Bailey rejoined the first team squad immediately and has been deployed by Emery in moments when he requires an impact. He hasn’t got one yet but it doesn’t look all that unlikely.

=22 | Ollie Watkins (5.8)

In common with many of his teammates, Watkins had some good moments in January and plenty of bad ones. Unfortunately, when Watkins isn’t at it he really stands out. Perhaps some competition and a rest will do him good for once.

=22 | Lamare Bogarde (5.8)

A slightly wobbly month for Bogarde, who has been used in a multitude of positions and isn’t being helped by it. Who knew?

24 | Pau Torres (5.7)

At fault at least once for Brentford’s goal on Sunday, February began much as January ended for Torres, who is yet to fully get back to his best after injury. Villa’s offside line is usually magic now though.

25 | Andrés García (5.3)

Injured again.

26 | Evann Guessand (4.1)

He’s gone so who cares?

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