Aston Villa’s recent form has been impressive under Unai Emery, but one recurring issue continues to haunt the team — the Aston Villa penalty problem.
Despite consistent performances in the Premier League and Europe, their inability to convert penalties has started costing them crucial points and momentum. The latest disappointment came in a 2-1 Europa League defeat to Go Ahead Eagles, where Emiliano Buendia’s 79th-minute miss proved decisive.
This recurring Aston Villa penalty problem is more than just bad luck — it’s a mix of pressure, technique, and psychological burden that the team must urgently address.
A Missed Opportunity Against Go Ahead Eagles
Villa entered the Europa League clash full of confidence, riding a five-match winning streak. But that momentum evaporated when Emiliano Buendia, stepping up in the 79th minute, blazed his penalty over the bar.
Instead of sealing the victory, Villa opened the door for their Dutch opponents, who capitalized and secured a famous comeback win.
That moment didn’t just cost Villa three points — it amplified the narrative of the Aston Villa penalty problem that has been lingering for months.
Aston Villa’s Penalty Record (Last 12 Months)
Let’s take a closer look at how Villa’s penalty issues have developed across competitions.
| Competition | Missed Penalties | Key Players Involved | Resulting Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 3 | Watkins, Buendia, McGinn | Points dropped vs lower sides |
| Europa League | 2 | Watkins, Buendia | Defeat to Bologna & Go Ahead Eagles |
| Carabao Cup | 1 | Team loss in shootout vs Brentford | Knocked out |
| Total | 6 Misses | Multiple players | Confidence crisis |
Since the start of last season, Villa have missed more penalties than any other Premier League team — six in total.
Manchester City and Arsenal come close with four each, but Villa’s record stands out for its frequency and impact.
The Psychology Behind Villa’s Penalty Struggles
Every penalty kick is a mental battle as much as a technical one. For Villa, the recurring theme suggests a collective psychological block.
Pressure mounts each time a new player steps up. Emiliano Buendia hadn’t taken an in-game penalty since December 2020, yet he was chosen ahead of Ollie Watkins, who had been substituted.
This uncertainty reflects a deeper problem — a lack of confidence and clarity in leadership during key moments.
When players start missing multiple penalties, even training sessions can become psychological tests rather than preparations.
Unai Emery’s side appears to be in this phase, where fear of failure outweighs the desire to succeed.
What Went Wrong in the Europa League Defeat
The loss to Go Ahead Eagles was more than just a missed spot-kick. It was symbolic of Villa’s inconsistency in crucial moments.
They took the lead early through Evann Guessand and dominated the first half, creating four big chances. But their inability to convert those chances — along with Buendia’s missed penalty — flipped the narrative.
By the final whistle, the focus wasn’t on Guessand’s goal or Villa’s creative play. It was on the Aston Villa penalty problem, now impossible to ignore.
What Players and Experts Said
After the match, TNT Sports pundit Michail Antonio captured the general mood:
“Buendia has been playing unbelievably. Seeing him step up, I thought it’s a goal. It’s disappointing to see the miss, but they need to move forward.”
Unai Emery, calm and collected post-match, echoed similar sentiments:
“Buendia was the taker today. Normally, he has good numbers. We will try to be more clinical. The idea is to be responsible with the decision and trust our takers.”
The Spaniard’s response reflects his long-term mindset. Emery knows that the Aston Villa penalty problem isn’t about blaming individuals — it’s about systemic improvement.
Who Should Take Villa’s Penalties Now?
Emery listed several potential takers — Buendia, Jadon Sancho, John McGinn, and Morgan Rogers.
But consistency is key.
| Player | Career Penalty Record | Conversion Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Ollie Watkins | 9/13 | 69% |
| Emiliano Buendia | 2/4 | 50% |
| Jadon Sancho | 3/3 (last in 2021) | 100% |
| John McGinn | 1/2 | 50% |
| Morgan Rogers | Yet to take senior penalty | – |
While Sancho has the best record, his last successful penalty came in early 2021 for Borussia Dortmund. Watkins remains the most experienced, but even he has missed crucial attempts.
The real solution may not lie in the player — but in Villa’s approach to penalty preparation.
Austin MacPhee: The Set-Piece Mastermind
Behind the scenes, Aston Villa have one of Europe’s most respected set-piece coaches — Austin MacPhee.
Appointed in 2021 under Dean Smith and retained by Emery, MacPhee also works with the Portugal national team under Roberto Martinez.
His analytical approach could be the key to resolving the Aston Villa penalty problem.
MacPhee uses data-driven techniques to enhance player confidence and predict goalkeeper tendencies.
If Emery gives him full control over Villa’s penalty training, fans might soon see a turnaround in fortunes.
Comparing Villa’s Penalty Record with Rivals
To understand Villa’s challenge, let’s compare them with other Premier League sides:
| Team | Missed Penalties (Last Season) | Conversion Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Aston Villa | 6 | 54% |
| Manchester City | 4 | 67% |
| Arsenal | 4 | 70% |
| Liverpool | 3 | 73% |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 2 | 80% |
The numbers show just how serious the Aston Villa penalty problem has become. Even teams like Arsenal and City — known for attacking brilliance — maintain better conversion rates.
Training, Confidence, and Future Fixes
Solving the Aston Villa penalty problem won’t happen overnight.
The club needs a structured approach that includes:
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Dedicated penalty training sessions – replicating real-match pressure.
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Data analytics – studying goalkeeper tendencies before every game.
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Mental conditioning – using sports psychologists to build confidence.
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Defined hierarchy – one clear first-choice taker to remove confusion.
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Post-miss review – analyzing every failed penalty for improvement.
Emery’s staff are already among the most detail-oriented in European football, and this issue provides an opportunity to demonstrate that discipline once again.
The Bigger Picture: Why Penalties Matter
While the Aston Villa penalty problem is obvious in numbers, its impact goes beyond statistics.
Missed penalties affect momentum, morale, and sometimes season objectives.
In tight matches — especially in Europe or cup competitions — penalties can decide everything.
Villa’s recent exits and narrow defeats highlight the thin margin between glory and frustration.
Fixing this flaw could elevate them from top-six contenders to genuine trophy challengers.
Fan Reactions and Media Buzz
Fans have been vocal on social media about Villa’s penalty curse.
Some demand a specialist taker, while others believe Emery should rely on experience rather than rotation.
Sports journalists, meanwhile, have pointed out that even world-class teams like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich have gone through similar phases.
What defines a great club is how quickly it adapts and evolves — and Villa now stand at that crossroads.
Moving Forward: The Road Ahead
Aston Villa have already proven under Unai Emery that they can compete at a high level. Their tactical intelligence, pressing intensity, and creativity are world-class.
Now, the challenge is turning dominance into decisiveness.
Becoming more clinical in front of goal — especially from the penalty spot — could transform their entire season trajectory.
With upcoming fixtures in both the Premier League and Europa League, the opportunity to reset is right there. If they can overcome the Aston Villa penalty problem, they’ll not only win matches — they’ll earn belief.
FAQs: Aston Villa Penalty Problem
1. Why is Aston Villa struggling with penalties?
A combination of pressure, inconsistent takers, and psychological tension has led to repeated misses across competitions.
2. Who is Aston Villa’s current penalty taker?
Unai Emery has rotated between Emiliano Buendia, Ollie Watkins, and Jadon Sancho, but no consistent choice has emerged.
3. How many penalties have Aston Villa missed recently?
Villa have missed six penalties in the last 12 months — the most among Premier League sides.
4. Can Austin MacPhee fix Villa’s penalty issue?
Yes. As one of the top set-piece coaches in Europe, MacPhee’s data-led approach can improve conversion rates significantly.
5. When was Villa’s last successful penalty?
Their most recent successful spot-kick came earlier this season in a Premier League fixture against Everton.
6. What’s Unai Emery’s plan to solve the penalty problem?
Emery is emphasizing responsibility, analysis, and consistent training to make his players more clinical from the spot.
Conclusion
The Aston Villa penalty problem has now become one of the most talked-about issues in English football.
It’s not just about missed chances — it’s about mentality, preparation, and trust.
Under Unai Emery’s leadership and with experts like Austin MacPhee in the coaching team, Villa have the tools to overcome this hurdle.
If they channel their creativity and discipline into mastering penalties, the rewards could be massive — both domestically and in Europe.
