"Best game in a Villa shirt" - Lots of AVFC fans gush over ace who is "going to be some player"

Aston Villa recorded their first away win in nearly three months on New Year’s Day with a vital 2-1 victory over Burnley at Turf Moor.

Pressure has been mounting on Dean Smith in recent weeks but the Villans’ latest victory will take the edge off for the time being.

His decision to tweak the formation against the Clarets was shrewd and appeared to stimulate improvement at both ends of the field.

Villa’s second goal, for example, epitomised the notable improvement on the day.

An incisive free-flowing move was eventually finished off by Jack Grealish after Douglas Luiz had played him into a promising position, and the Brazilian midfielder came in for plenty of praise in the aftermath of proceedings for his all-round performance.

The 21-year-old showed his quality in both the attacking and defensive phases of play, completing three tackles and also playing two key passes, per Whoscored.

Lots of fans were waxing lyrical on Twitter, with one saying he was second behind Grealish in contention for the Man of the Match award.

How good was Douglas Luiz today. Pleasure to watch #avfc

— Ben Barton (@BenBarton90) January 1, 2020

you played amazing today. controlled that midfield and looked like the word class player, you were said to be. more of it x

— Gagandeep (@gags1983) January 1, 2020

#avfc #utv Really good performances from our Brazilian lads today. @dg_douglasluiz was 2nd behind @JackGrealish1 as MOTM for me.

— Gez ⚽️🦁 (@Gezmag) January 2, 2020

Douglas is pure quality

— Jack McGinn (@JackMcGinn8) January 1, 2020

Best wishes sent to Wesley. Looks like a horrible injury. Well played today though Douglas, going to be some player! #UTV

— Kevin Boswell (@Kevin6Boswell) January 1, 2020

It’s often difficult for new players to settle following a transfer and, generally speaking, fans should allow their new signings at least one full season to adapt before forming concrete judgements.

But that doesn’t prevent them from firing criticism in the direction of their players, and Luiz hasn’t always impressed the entirety of the fanbase.

These two fans alluded to criticism that’s been fired in his direction of late and suggested his latest performance provided a perfect response.

Says a lot about someone's football IQ whether they rate Douglas Luiz or not. The kid is superb, class ball retention, breaks lines for fun. Just needs to improve on his defensive side of the game. Brazilian wonder kid

— Ryan¹⁸ (@Ryxn_AVFC) January 2, 2020

Remember all of the yer da’s moaning about Douglas Luiz posting a picture on his Instagram yesterday & hes gone and bossed the game today #AVFC

— Niall (@NiallBowes) January 1, 2020

Finally, more fans suggested it was his best game since joining the club from Manchester City in the summer transfer window.

In the absence of John McGinn the Brazilian might just be forced to come of age in the final months of the season.

Thought Douglas Luiz had his best game in an #avfc shirt. Physical, kept the play moving & full of energy. Also thought Nakamba was very good. Rough few weeks but the high press game really suits his energy & work rate. Still needs to improve on the ball though.

— Bhavik Patel (@BazlaP) January 1, 2020

Voted Jack, but thought that was Douglas Luiz’s best game in a Villa shirt so far

— Richard E (@Richard80711135) January 1, 2020