Just eleven weeks ago, Aston Villa was at the bottom of the Premier League table, without a single win.
Now, under the guidance of manager Unai Emery, they hold third place, with increasing discussion about their potential involvement in the title race. Their recent impactful 2-1 victory against league leaders Arsenal demonstrated their capabilities and marked Emery’s 63rd Premier League win, a record for the club.
Emery boasts a 54.94% win rate from his 162 matches, and in 2025, only Arsenal and Manchester City have accumulated more points (71) than Villa’s 67 from 34 games. Furthermore, they are set to play Basel in the Europa League on Thursday, where a win would effectively guarantee them a spot in the last sixteen, with Villa currently third in their group.
This impressive turnaround follows a challenging start to the season where the club was in the bottom three, eliminated from the Carabao Cup, and was the last team in the Football League to score a goal. The departure of Monchi, Villa’s president of football operations, in September, along with spending restrictions due to profit and sustainability rules (PSR), raised questions about Emery’s effectiveness.
However, three months later, the only remaining query is how seriously to consider Villa as title contenders. Emery’s approach has remained consistent; he has not altered his methods. The Spanish manager, known for his diligent work ethic, has maintained his convictions to overcome the initial difficulties faced by his team.
The club had previously experienced a dip, not just in results. The significant progress made under Emery over three years had elevated expectations, leading to pressure for Champions League qualification and major signings. Villa had ascended from Premier League struggles in 2022 to a strong position, and the associated fatigue seemed to affect both players and fans. Early results included a goalless draw with Newcastle and a 1-0 loss to Brentford, followed by Crystal Palace ending their 12-month unbeaten home record in August.
During this period, there were expectations that goalkeeper Emi Martinez might depart, but he remained. Limited by strict PSR regulations, Villa’s summer spending was modest, primarily on striker Evann Guessand and goalkeeper Marco Bizot, despite a perceived need for squad reinforcement after some players left. Nevertheless, Emery remained resolute, even when striker Ollie Watkins scored only once in his first 19 games. The club does plan to strengthen the squad in January, with Brazilian winger Alysson reportedly close to joining.
Emery regards the Bodymoor Heath training ground as a highly focused environment, with strict access and concentration demands. He has reportedly reacted defensively when privately questioned about modifying the team’s tactics or approach. Villa has not increased training time, nor have Emery’s detailed video sessions been altered. He has, in essence, unified and re-energized the team, guiding them back to form.
Emery, a former manager of Arsenal, Paris Saint-Germain, and Sevilla, is described as a formidable and highly ambitious figure whose intensity has propelled Villa forward. His substantial authority within the club is notable, a level of control he reportedly lacked at Arsenal and PSG. For instance, he played a significant role in selecting Roberto Olabe, a colleague from his time at Almeria, as Monchi’s successor, and he relies heavily on trusted staff, such as director of football operations Damian Vidagany.
His tenure at Arsenal, where he succeeded Arsene Wenger in 2018 and lasted only 18 months, was different, perhaps due to the difficult circumstances of following a highly successful manager. Similarly, PSG’s ownership did not extend his initial two-year contract despite domestic success. One might wonder how far Emery could have taken Arsenal with the same support given to his successor, Mikel Arteta.
Now, Emery’s Villa is just three points behind his former club, striving to secure a Champions League spot for the second time in three seasons and influence the title race, despite his own attempts to downplay their chances. Following the impressive win against Arsenal, he stated, “I am not thinking about it [the title]… I know 38 matches is very difficult. We are not a contender.”
Unai Emery’s unwavering commitment to his guiding principles has unequivocally manifested, allowing his core beliefs to profoundly impact the team’s trajectory.
Aston Villa has established a formidable streak, securing victories in nine of their most recent ten Premier League encounters – a solitary setback being a 2-0 defeat away to Liverpool – and an astounding thirteen of their last fifteen matches across all competitive tournaments.
Ironically, despite this impressive tally of triumphs, their overall performances haven’t consistently reached a level of undisputed dominance, with a singular instance of overwhelming superiority witnessed only in their commanding 4-0 victory over Bournemouth. This intriguing paradox serves as an ominous signal to formidable adversaries like Arsenal and Manchester City – both of whom have previously succumbed to Villa’s prowess during this near-flawless run – suggesting that Emery’s charges are yet to truly unlock their full capabilities and hit their peak form.
A closer scrutiny of their last five top-flight encounters – specifically against Bournemouth, Leeds, Wolves, Brighton, and Arsenal – reveals a strategic shift: they have registered less ball control and fewer incursions into the opposition’s penalty area compared to their challenging, winless opening five games.
Yet, through Emery’s unwavering persistence and strategic acumen, alternative critical statistical indicators have demonstrably soared across the board. The most pronounced divergence is evident in their Expected Goals (xG) metric, which has surged to an impressive 8.8 in their latest quintet of matches, a significant leap from the mere 3.8 recorded at the commencement of the campaign.
Furthermore, there’s an undeniable upward trajectory in other key offensive and defensive metrics: a higher volume of attempts on goal (75 compared to 52), an increase in significant scoring opportunities created (10 versus six), more frequent incursions into the opponents’ defensive zone, and an enhanced number of successful defensive interventions.
While it certainly required an initial period of adjustment for Aston Villa to ignite their campaign, Emery’s profound influence has proven him to be their undeniable pivotal asset, masterminding their ascendancy and leading their remarkable charge in a truly impressive manner.
