Aston Villa: Unai Emery's Masterclass and a Surprising Title Charge

Aston Villa’s 2025/26 season under Unai Emery has been nothing short of phenomenal. From a poor start, not scoring in 4 games, to becoming strong European contenders and now challenging for the title itself. Under Unai Emery, Villa have turned performances into momentum, and their current form is exerting real pressure on the traditional title favourites, making this one of the most exciting Premier League seasons in recent memory. Currently sitting just 3 points behind Arsenal, Villa has pundits and fans alike asking the question: Can Villa go all the way?

📈 Season So Far: Defying the Odds

Villa's transformation is best highlighted by their current position and statistics. Despite a historically poor start to the 2025/2026 campaign, they have engineered an incredible turnaround. Particularly impressive has been their home form. Villa Park has been engineered into a fortress, providing Villa with the backdrop for a near-perfect home record. Emery has instilled a robust defensive structure, and Villa boast one of the league’s best defensive records, conceding fewer goals than most rivals. Combining their defensive structure with a fortress home ground has been the key to Villa's success, but one cannot overlook their attacking prowess. Unlike many teams, their attack is not focused on one key player, but rather goals have been scored by a host of players, demonstrating how Villa play as a unit rather than as individuals. Morgan Rodgers has been a key creative outlet for them in spurring this attack forward.

Their recent form has been particularly impressive. Their stunning 2-1 victory over Manchester City showcased tactical discipline, while their dramatic 2-1 win over Arsenal, secured by a stoppage-time goal by Emiliano Buendía, not only ended Arsenal’s 18-game unbeaten run but also brought Villa to within striking distance of the top spot. These stunning victories are not only crucial 3 points but also inject confidence and belief that they really can go all the way to lift the title.

🔄 From Rough Start to Title Contender

It’s remarkable to note that Villa’s 2025/26 campaign didn’t begin smoothly, with early league games showing concerning signs described by analysts as “their worst start in decades.” However, Emery’s influence and tactical adjustments have completely turned the tide. Rather than folding under pundit and analyst pressure, the Spaniard has turned a lacklustre Villa into a well-oiled machine, producing results going forward while being solid as a rock defensively. Unai Emery has convinced people that he is here for the long haul and his side are genuine title contenders, not just enjoying a purple patch.

💡 What’s Working: And What Villa Still Need

Aston Villa have several factors working in their favour. Arguably, their biggest strength is their confidence and belief. Wins against 1st place Arsenal and 2nd place Manchester City have inspired confidence and belief into their side and fans. This squad now believes and knows they can compete with anyone in the league. Fortress Villa Park is a crucial component of their winning system, and they are relying on consistent home performances to propel them to the title. The most beneficial factor in their success is Unai Emery himself and his system. The system is perfectly suited to getting the best out of players across attack and midfield, demonstrating balance and cohesion rather than relying on a single star player. He has created a cohesive unit instead of relying on individual players.

Despite several factors working in their favour, Aston Villa still have a couple of things they need to work on. While their home form is exceptional, their away form is far from perfect. To sustain a full title push, Villa will need more consistency and better returns away from the comfort of Villa Park. The squad will be heavily tested as they compete on multiple fronts, and they must manage their squad and priorities to avoid fatigue and injuries. The biggest challenge they face is that of sustainability. They must avoid relying solely on flashes of brilliance, and maintaining this level of high performance over a full season of 38 games is the ultimate test.

🏆 Title Charge: Can They Go All The Way?

If Villa maintain their current trajectory with strong home wins, improved away performances, and effective management of squad rotation, they are perfectly positioned to disrupt the traditional title dynamic. Their recent statement wins against Manchester City, and Arsenal are a signal that Villa believe, and can deliver, on the biggest stage. They have all the ingredients to succeed in this historic title push, and time will tell if they can make it all the way. This isn’t just a fairytale; it’s a statement of intent that Aston Villa are ready to compete at the very top.