Aston Villa 2-0 Maccabi Tel Aviv: Ian Maatsen and Donyell Malen goals in Europa League win at Villa Park

This game came three years to the day since Emery’s first Aston Villa match, which launched his era in style.

A 3-1 victory against Manchester United on that occasion marked Villa’s first home win over the Red Devils since 1995.

Comparing the team from that day to the line-up on Thursday, only Emi Martinez and Ezri Konsa started both games.

Emi Buendia, Ollie Watkins and John McGinn also started against United and came off the bench in the Europa League, while fellow November 2022 starters Lucas Digne and Matty Cash were unused substitutes against Maccabi.

So with the changes it may be surprising to say there is a reliance on the old guard.

But while Emery’s group have certainly evolved in the past three years, they are, in the main, still dependent on the same stars Emery inherited. Morgan Rogers is the obvious exception.

Martinez made big saves against the visitors from Israel, and Konsa won what appeared a dubious penalty.

Those signed more recently – including goalscorers Malen and Maatsen – often struggled against a spirited Maccabi side.

Watkins, McGinn and a resurgent Buendia remain key to Villa this season, along with full-backs Cash and Digne.

Despite their recent string of five straight wins, and beating Manchester City, there remains the nagging feeling Emery’s men remain fragile this season.