Aston Villa forward Donyell Malen has spoken candidly about his mental resilience and belief in perseverance, revealing how his unwavering mindset helped him adapt to life in the Premier League after a slow start under Unai Emery.
Speaking to Dutch outlet ELF Voetbal, the 26-year-old opened up on the challenges of settling into a new league, system, and environment — and how he refused to let early setbacks define him.
“It wasn’t always easy, but I stayed calm”
Malen joined Villa from Borussia Dortmund in January 2025 for an initial fee of £21 million. Despite regular appearances in his first months at the club, goals were hard to come by — his first strike came in a 3–0 win over Brightonin April, almost three months after signing.
But the Dutchman says his mindset never wavered.
“It wasn’t always easy in a new environment, a new league, and with a new manager,” Malen said. “But I had to keep my head down and focus on myself and keep doing the right things. Stay calm.
When I came on as a substitute, I always thought, I’m going to do it. Even if the playing time is limited. Even if it’s just five minutes.”
He added that his belief in himself — even during difficult spells — has been the key to his success so far.
“I’ve always maintained that mentality, and it’s what got me where I am today. Ultimately, I know I’ll always come out on top. A sportsman’s career doesn’t always go from zero to one hundred. Sometimes you take a step back.”
Finding his rhythm under Unai Emery
Malen’s patience has been rewarded this season. A tactical adjustment from Emery has seen him feature more frequently in his preferred attacking role, and he has already matched his goal tally from last year with four goals in 16 appearances across all competitions, including three in the Premier League.
His intelligent movement, pace, and finishing have started to make him a key figure in Villa’s evolving attack as they push for another European qualification spot.
| Donyell Malen – 2025/26 Season (Aston Villa) | Stat |
|---|---|
| Appearances (All Competitions) | 16 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 0 |
| Accurate Passes (avg) | 4.3 (80%) |
| Big Chances Missed | 2 |
source: Sofascore Data – 15 November 2025
Mentality shaping Villa’s ambition
Malen’s comments underline the mentality that Emery has tried to instil across the squad — a focus on discipline, patience, and personal growth. The Dutch international’s ability to stay composed through early struggles mirrors the collective progress Villa have made under the Spaniard.
Now an established member of the first team, Malen looks increasingly comfortable in English football and determined to continue his upward trajectory.
Our View: Malen’s mentality matches Emery’s philosophy
In our view, Donyell Malen’s comments perfectly encapsulate the mentality driving Aston Villa’s rise under Unai Emery. His adaptability, determination, and professionalism are exactly the qualities that have helped Villa evolve from mid-table battlers into European contenders.
Malen’s mindset — “keep calm, keep working, and believe you’ll come out on top” — is not just admirable, it’s infectious. If he maintains his current form, he could become one of Villa’s most influential attacking options this season.
Key Insights
- Donyell Malen says self-belief helped him overcome a difficult start at Aston Villa.
- The Dutch forward joined Villa for £21m from Borussia Dortmund in January 2025.
- Malen: “I’ve always maintained that mentality… I’ll always come out on top.”
- He has scored 4 goals in 16 appearances this season.
- A system change from Unai Emery has helped him flourish in 2025/26.
What’s Next
Aston Villa return to Premier League action after the international break with a trip to Leeds United on 23 November, where Malen will look to continue his fine form and add to his growing goal tally.
👉 Villa fans — do you think Malen can hit double figures this season and establish himself as one of Emery’s key forwards?
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