Salih Özcan

Key strength: Ball retention

Deep-lying playmaker

Aston Villa's impressive rise to 3rd in the table owes much to their defensive midfield solidity, and Salih Özcan has quietly played his part in that resurgence. The 28-year-old German midfielder has accumulated 360 minutes across five appearances this season—though his stat line reads zero goals and zero assists, these numbers scarcely capture his true worth. Operating as a deep-lying playmaker, Özcan's primary remit is breaking up opposition attacks and maintaining possession in transition. His market value of €3.5 million represents solid business for a player tasked with shielding Villa's backline, which features the impressive defensive pairing of Ian Maatsen and Andrés García on the flanks. In a midfield battle that also features high-rated teammates like Lewis Ferguson (75) and fellow defensive options Amadou Onana and Boubacar Kamara, Özcan's workmanlike approach provides the platform for Villa's attackers to thrive. While not the headline grabber, his 50-rated physical presence and 55-rated passing ability ensure Villa can sustain their unlikely title challenge. The unsung hero role suits him perfectly.