How an Aston Villa fringe player became Europe's most prolific scorer

The contrast with his time at Villa could hardly be greater.

In 46 appearances for the Premier League club, the 27-year-old scored 10 goals and registered two assists. Since joining Roma, he has scored 21 goals and provided three assists in just 25 matches.

His scoring rate has improved from one goal every 149.8 minutes at Villa to one every 96.7 minutes in Rome.

On the surface, the figures suggest two very different versions of the same player. But Roma's success with Malen may owe as much to how he is being used as to any change in confidence or form.

The Dutchman arrived in Italy with a proven goalscoring pedigree and the data suggests Roma have found a role that maximises his attacking instincts.

While confidence and form may have played a part, a change in position appears to be a major factor behind the resurgence.

At Villa, Malen was often used across the frontline and spent only 52% of his league minutes as a central striker. At Roma, 99% of his Serie A minutes have come through the middle under manager Gian Piero Gasperini, making him the focal point of the attack and placing him where he can do the most damage.

The stats are backed up by the eye test. After Roma's 1-1 Champions League draw with Fenerbahce last Thursday, when Malen set up his side's goal, French football journalist Julien Laurens told Match of the Day the Dutchman had become central to Gasperini's plans.

"He has been incredible since January," said Laurens.

"He has been really efficient, super clinical. Malen is at the heart of everything they do with the ball."