Former Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has praised four key players as being hugely responsible for the team's outstanding form.
Smith has seen Spanish head coach Unai Emery come into the club and get Villa challenging for a top four spot.
Emery took over from Steven Gerrard last season when Villa were in relegation danger.
Smith spoke on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club, praising Ezri Konsa, Emi Martinez, John McGinn and Ollie Watkins.
"He's (Konsa) a top lad and a top player," he said.
"I watch him now in Unai's team and the go-to players for that team are Martinez, Konsa, McGinn and Watkins through the spine of the team.
Ezri's been the go-to player for the majority of it. He's so consistent, he's unruffled and he deserves his call-up.
"There are not many people I've signed twice. We signed Ezri (for Brentford) and I think we paid 2m for him from Charlton. His reading of the game is incredible; he understands the game really well. He's athletic, he's quick, he's good one v one.
"He's a quiet leader. The modern player is a quiet leader, but he has a real steel influence on the team. He doesn't have to say a lot, but when he does speak people listen to him.
"He's not one of the outgoing players, but he believes in his ability and there is a lot to say for that. When someone is confident in their own ability, you can see players don't want to play against that. And his team-mates love him. He's a good person in the dressing room."