In Focus: Luiz has Doug deep to shine for European chasers Villa

Douglas Luiz made another vital contribution to Aston Villa's surprise push for European football by scoring a late equaliser at Brentford last Saturday.

The Brazilian's 87th-minute finish from close range secured a 1-1 draw against the Bees to extend Villa's unbeaten run to nine games.

Luiz has been a constant presence during Unai Emery's spectacular reign as manager so far and is poised for another key role at home to Fulham this evening.

Ahead of that showdown, we turn the spotlight on Villa's midfield maestro.

Stark contrast

Despite constant links to title-chasing Arsenal, Luiz began the season out of Villa's XI under Steven Gerrard.

John McGinn and Jacob Ramsey were Gerrard's preferred choices in advanced midfield, with summer signing Boubacar Kamara selected in the deeper No6 role.

Luiz's contract reaching expiry, links to an elite club and regular substitute appearances all pointed towards a departure from the West Midlands.

He quickly won his place back under Gerrard but his return to the fold could not prevent the former Rangers manager's sacking at the end of October following a dismal 3-0 defeat at tonight's opponents Fulham.

The difference in fortunes from that sorry night at Craven Cottage, during which Luiz was shown a straight red card, to now could hardly be more stark as the two teams face off again.

Suitable system

The Villans have won 12 of their 19 league games since Emery was appointed as Gerrard's successor and Luiz has marshalled the midfield expertly throughout.

The Spanish tactician's 4-2-2-2 formation, which sees the Rio de Janeiro native operate in a double midfield pivot, looks to suit him down to the ground as evidenced by his consistent displays on the pitch.

Luiz had been developing a promising partnership with Kamara in the centre of the park, with the assured pair able to take the ball in dangerous positions and allow Villa to control games.

With the former Marseille man struggling with injury, McGinn and, more recently, Leander Dendoncker have stepped in to that position without disrupting Villa's progress.

While much of that is down to Emery's system, keeping the dependable Luiz fit and available throughout that period will certainly have helped.

Goal threat

Luiz's contributions of goals and assists are another notable positive.

Handed the freedom to roam forward, the ex-Manchester City prospect has five goals and as many assists in all competitions.

His ability to score from corners has been his party trick, extraordinarily doing so in games against Bolton in the Carabao Cup and Arsenal in the Premier League.

But his three other league strikes have all come as a result of being inside the box.

That extra creative license has also allowed his wicked delivery and vision to translate into assists on a regular basis, too.

Daring to dream

Saturday's draw was further evidence of Luiz's importance to Villa, popping up with another crucial moment in a game that saw red-hot striker Ollie Watkins struggle to have an impact.

His manager knows that the better their in-form midfielder gets, the more chance Villa have of a top-six finish.

The 51-year-old said of Luiz ahead of tonight's clash at Villa Park: "He is taking responsibility on the pitch like I want. 

"We are being demanding of him to do more because he can and he can take steps ahead.

"His qualities are very important for the idea I want to create in this team. I want to get the best of him for us."

Luiz was once signed by Pep Guardiola and targeted by Mikel Arteta. He is now showing why that is on a consistent basis for Europe-chasing Villa.