Why Aston Villa Are ‘The Real Deal’ As Title Contenders

Eleven Wins in a row has Villa Dreaming: Could They Win the Premier League?!

There can be little doubt that there is no Premier League fanbase more ecstatic right now than that of Aston Villa.

The Birmingham based outfit are on an incredible run of form, with a comeback victory at Stamford Bridge over Chelsea an 11th win in a row for Unai Emery’s side, a joint club record and the first time the club have achieved such a feat since pre-World War One.

EQUALLING A CLUB-RECORD OF 11 CONSECUTIVE WINS! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/pTZZFB6JgW

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 27, 2025

That form has Villa 3rd in the Premier League table, just three points of current leaders Arsenal and one point behind 2nd place Manchester City. Meaning that whilst you may doubt their chances of being in a similar position come the final weeks of the season, there is no doubt that right now the Villains are firmly in the fight for the Premier League title.

Villa’s current position is even more impressive when you remember the start Emery’s team had to the 25/26 campaign. The first four games of the season saw Villa fail to hit the net in the Premier League, not scoring their first goal until a Matty Cash strike in a 1-1 draw at Sunderland on 21st September.

4 - Aston Villa have failed to score in their opening four league games of a season for the first time in their history. Blank. pic.twitter.com/IK8RjGH7vw

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) September 13, 2025

Before that, Villa had drawn 0-0 with Newcastle at Villa Park in their opening fixture and had followed that up with consecutive defeats. Leaving Brentford’s GTECH Community Stadium emtpy handed after a 1-0 loss and were thrashed 0-3 at home by Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace.

A first league win of the season would be claimed on September 28th at home versus Fulham in a 3-1 victory, and since then Emery’s team have not looked back, losing just one Premier League game since – a 2-0 loss to Liverpool at Anfield – and have beaten both title hopefuls at Villa Park, including a 95th minute win over Arsenal thanks to a Emiliano Buendia’s last minute strike

Whilst Villa undoubtedly boast many top players throughout their squad, their strongest asset and the strongest reason behind their success is in the dugout. Since joining Villa in 2022, the Spanish coach has revolutionized the club, turning a side battling relegation into UEFA Champions League Quarter finalists, and have played in European competitions for three straight seasons.

Emery’s incredible work at Villa Park has also enhanced his own reputation in England, which had been damaged following a poor spell as Head Coach of Arsenal. Which saw the Spainard sacked after 18 months after taking over following the end of Arsene Wenger’s 22 year reign in North London.

I adore Unai Emery.

This man is giving a generation of Aston Villa fans the times of their lives.

What a team we have become, and Unai Emery is the main reason.

What a man. #AVFC pic.twitter.com/69Um25rvsT

— Aston Villa Statto (@AVFCStatto) December 27, 2025

However, Emery has now cemented himself as one of the top coaches across Europe, and is well on his way to earning legendary statues at Villa Park, with the question now on whether he can bring silverware to a club that whilst boasting a strong number of trophies throughout an illustrious history, have not lifted a trophy since the 1996 League Cup.

Emery’s tactical strengths once again on show in Villa’s win at Stamford Bridge, where at 1-0 down, striker Ollie Watkins was brought on. And that substitution proved to be what turned the game around as Watkins scored a brace to earn Villa the win in West London.

Watkins himself has not been as impressive this campaign as in previous seasons. The 29 year-old has scored 35 goals across the 2023/24 and 2024/25 Premier League seasons, but had only scored three league goals prior to entering the pitch vs Chelsea, but the two goals at Stamford Bridge could lead to the striker firing into form in the second half of the season.

The moment that changed @AVFCOfficial's fortunes...

Ollie Watkins is subbed on then bags a brilliant double ⚽️ ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/BcHStsQgrh

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 27, 2025

However, in the absence of form for Watkins others have stepped up in attack, and none so more than 23 year-old Morgan Rogers.

Since signing for Villa from Middlesbrough in January 2024, Rogers has gone from strength to strength. Last season saw the attacking midfielder score 8 and assist ten in the Premier League in a hugely impressive first full season and has looked even better so far this campaign.

Rogers is Villa’s top scorer so far in the league with 7 goals and has 4 assists to his name too, and has made a name for himself as one of the brightest young talents in the league with a spot in England’s 2026 World Cup Squad surely beckoning.

🚨 Morgan Rogers’ last 12 PL games:

•⁠ ⁠6 goals
•⁠ ⁠3 assists
•⁠ ⁠9 G/A

🚨 Since last season began:

•⁠ ⁠21 goals
•⁠ ⁠18 assists pic.twitter.com/ZivaAY7WLy

— The Touchline | 𝐓 (@TouchlineX) December 28, 2025

But the talent in Villa’s squad goes beyond just the attack. Captain John McGinn hss continued as a hugely influential figure for the club and has impressed in midfield alongside Frenchman Boubacar Kamara. Whilst World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez remains one of the best goalkeepers across the Premier League.

However, despite having a squad full of talented players, there are questions surrounding the size of the squad at Emery’s disposal. Villa find themselves in the UEFA Europa League this season and have been unable to spend strong amounts in the transfer market due to PSR regulations.

As a result, Villa don’t have a hugely deep squad, and there are doubts about whether they have enough in order to compete on multiple fronts with the demands the Europa League brings.

Despite that, Villa are currently the most in form team across Europe, and as it stands are firmly in the fight for the title alongside both Arenal and Manchester City as the title race looks to intensify in the second half of the season.

Our Boss 🤝 pic.twitter.com/880aZSHRYB

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) December 28, 2025

Time will tell whether they can keep up with Mikel Arteta and Pep Guardiola’s sides, but Villa fans have every right to dream big.