By Comfort Asemota
Aston Villa have emerged as the Premier League’s form team, with Unai Emery’s men firmly in the conversation for the title alongside Arsenal and Manchester City.
After a sluggish start—failing to win any of their first six games—Villa have surged, claiming 15 victories in their past 17 matches across all competitions, including 10 wins from 11 Premier League fixtures. The Birmingham club has shrugged off its “sleeping giant” tag since Emery’s arrival over three years ago.
However, Villa have not won a league title since 1981, their first since before World War I, prompting the question: can they realistically maintain their title challenge against the might of Arsenal and City?
Reasons for Optimism
Villa’s current run underscores steady year-on-year progress under Emery. Following a 13-year absence from European football, which included a three-year spell in the Championship, Emery has guided Villa into continental competitions for the past three seasons.
Their recent form has seen even the Premier League’s giants struggle at Villa Park. Paris Saint-Germain narrowly escaped with a 5-4 aggregate win in the Champions League quarter-finals in April, while City and Arsenal have suffered defeats on Birmingham soil during Villa’s remarkable one-loss streak in 32 home games.
Emery’s squad now boasts a wealth of international experience, including World Cup-winning goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez and England internationals Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins, and Morgan Rogers. Rogers, in particular, has been pivotal, tallying five goals and three assists in his last 11 league outings and even being preferred over Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham by England boss Thomas Tuchel.
A Reality Check
Despite their impressive results, some performances have not fully reflected Villa’s surge. Only two of their 10 league wins have come by more than a single goal, and expected goals (xG) data suggests fortune has played a role in their run.
The true test lies ahead: Villa face a crucial festive period, hosting Manchester United before trips to Chelsea and Arsenal. Emery acknowledged the challenge, saying, “I know 38 matches is very difficult. We are not a contender. If we were in game 35, perhaps we can speak differently.”
Historically, sustaining a title challenge against clubs with larger squads and resources has been difficult. Just two years ago, Villa beat both Arsenal and City in December but ended the season 23 points behind the leaders in fourth place.
Additionally, balancing the Premier League with a deep Europa League run will test Emery’s squad depth. Villa currently sit joint top of their Europa League group, with qualification for the last 16 nearly secured. Emery, a four-time Europa League winner with Sevilla and Villarreal, may well target a continental trophy in Istanbul come May—potentially ending Villa’s 30-year wait for silverware—rather than the Premier League crown.
