Unai Emery has has found key to unlocking Aston Villa struggler by giving him new role

Unai Emery is an incredible man-manager, and he proved it yet again during Aston Villa's convincing win over Viking.

Ross Barkley and Emi Buendia were both on target at Villa Park on Wednesday, 21 October, with Henrik Heggenheim's own goal rubbing salt into the wounds before Peter Christiansen grabbed one back.

Villa have now moved up to second in the Champions League standings, only behind PSG on goal difference, despite a tough start domestically.

The Villans are currently sitting 12th in the Premier League table after seven games, with the team still adapting to a squad overhaul in the summer.

Nicolas Jackson, Ibrahim Mbaye and Zion Suzuki have all slotted into the lineup seamlessly, but that can't be said for everyone.

Joao Gomes, who arrived from Wolves on a £38million deal, has played a lot of minutes, but many fans have been left wanting more from him.

Joao Gomes stars in new role vs Viking

Having kicked off his Villa career with a red card against Brighton, supporters instantly thought that the club had made a huge mistake.

Some of his displays since have bought him some time, and Emery appears to have found a totally new role for the Brazilian at Villa Park.

In possession, he was part of the same double-pivot in midfield as always, but without the ball is really where the 25-year-old shone against Viking.

Due to Villa playing with a back-three, he often found himself in a right-back role, putting in tough tackles while also getting forward down the flank.

It would have been a huge change for Gomes, but he clearly loved the game, taking to the new role like a duck to water.

What did the stats say about Aston Villa's midfielder?

Gomes played 70 minutes before being replaced by Matty Cash, with Emery making five chances around the 70th minute to save legs.

In that time, he took 81 touches, completed 91 per cent of passes, seven of which were line-breaking, made two tackles, six recoveries, and one clearance [FotMob].

He dived into eight ground duels, winning 62 per cent of them, while also winning two fouls and committing none, which was especially impressive for him.

With a decent display against Newcastle United as well, Emery may have found the key to unleashing the Brazilian at Villa Park.