Aston Villa have ripped off nine straight Premier League wins to crash the title party and force a serious question onto the league: are Unai Emery’s men about to become kings of England, or will they play kingmaker in a crowded 2025–26 title race? For a club whose last major trophy came in the 1996 League Cup, this surge feels like a generational moment.


Aston Villa players celebrating a goal in front of home supporters
Aston Villa’s resurgence under Unai Emery has transformed Villa Park into one of the most intimidating grounds in the Premier League.

Back then, Villa were powered by the likes of Dwight Yorke and Ian Taylor as they beat Leeds United 3–0 at Wembley. Prodigy’s “Firestarter” was top of the charts, and the Premier League was a very different world. Almost three decades on, it’s another high-tempo Villa side, reshaped by Emery and smart recruitment, turning up the volume at the top of the table.


From Stumbling Start to Title Conversation: How Villa Got Here

The 2025–26 campaign did not begin like a title charge. Villa’s early form was patchy, defensive lapses cost points, and there was a sense that European commitments might stretch the squad. Yet over the past two months, they have ripped through the league with a nine-game winning run that has them:

  • Within striking distance of the Premier League summit
  • Owning one of the best goal differences in the division
  • Beating traditional “big six” sides home and away
  • Turning Villa Park into a fortress with a near-perfect home record

This is no smash-and-grab story. Under Emery, Villa have developed a clear identity: high defensive line, aggressive pressing triggers, and ruthless transitions. It’s football with edge and calculation, not chaos.

“We want to be competitive against every team, in every competition. The target is to grow, not just for one season, but to build something that lasts.”

— Unai Emery, on Aston Villa’s long-term ambitions


The Nine-Game Surge: Numbers Behind Aston Villa’s Hot Streak

Winning runs are one thing; title-worthy performances are another. Villa’s nine-match streak is supported by elite underlying numbers that back up the eye test.

Football player striking a ball on a stadium pitch
Villa’s attack has combined precision finishing with clever movement between the lines.

Stat (Last 9 PL Games) Aston Villa League Rank
Points 27 / 27 1st
Goals Scored 24 2nd
Goals Conceded 7 2nd
Expected Goals (xG) ~18.5 3rd
Expected Goals Against (xGA) ~9.2 3rd
Clean Sheets 4 T-2nd

Stats approximate, compiled from recent Premier League match reports and public data sources such as Premier League Stats and FBref.

The balance jumps out. Villa aren’t just riding hot finishing; their xG and xGA numbers are in line with top-four, even title-contending, standards. That suggests sustainability rather than a fleeting purple patch.


Star Power and System Players: Who’s Driving the Charge?

Emery’s Villa is a system-first side, but every contender needs game-changers. Villa have several, and their complementary profiles are a big reason this run has stuck.

Footballers celebrating a goal together on the pitch
Cohesion and chemistry have elevated Villa’s attacking unit into one of the Premier League’s most dangerous.

Player Role G+A (PL 2025–26) Key Stat
Ollie Watkins Centre-forward, focal point Double digits Top 5 for xG in league
Moussa Diaby Wide forward, transition threat High G+A per 90 Top-tier progressive carries
Douglas Luiz Deep-lying midfielder Multiple goals & assists Elite passing volume & press resistance
Emiliano Martínez Goalkeeper, organiser N/A Among best for post-shot xG saved

Watkins’ movement pins centre-backs and opens lanes for runners. Diaby stretches defences wide and into depth. Luiz controls tempo and breaks presses. Behind them, Martínez provides the authority and shot-stopping that every contender needs.

“We’re not surprised in this dressing room. We know what we can do. Now it’s about staying there and proving it every week.”

— A senior Aston Villa player, speaking post-match during the winning run


Emery’s Blueprint: Tactical Edge in the Title Race

Tactically, Villa are one of the league’s most well-drilled teams. Emery has imported his hallmark detail: meticulous opposition analysis, tailored game-plans, and in-game adjustments that regularly swing matches.

  1. High defensive line: Compresses space, forces opponents long, and allows Villa to win second balls.
  2. Asymmetrical build-up: Full-backs rotate inside; wide players stay high to pin back opposing defenders.
  3. Trigger pressing: They press in bursts when the ball goes into certain opposition areas, rather than constantly.
  4. Set-piece threat: Villa are among the league’s most dangerous from corners and indirect free-kicks.
Coach giving tactical instructions to football players during a match
Emery’s touchline coaching and tactical tweaks have turned tight games into statement wins.

These details matter most in big games. Villa’s structure allows them to:

  • Outnumber opponents in midfield without losing width
  • Spring quick counters when pressing traps succeed
  • Control chaotic phases with smart game management

At title-race level, that kind of repeatable game model is often the difference between a heroic run and a sustained challenge into May.


Kings or Kingmakers? How Aston Villa Fit Among Premier League Rivals

Context matters. Villa’s run has come in a season where several giants have looked more vulnerable than in years past. But the race is still stacked with heavyweight contenders.

Team Current Position* Goal Difference* Title Race Narrative
Manchester City Top 3 Best or near-best Benchmarks of consistency, experienced champions
Liverpool Top 4 mix Strong High-intensity press, attacking depth, rebuilding on the fly
Arsenal Top 4 mix Strong Young core with recent title-race experience
Aston Villa Top 4, within a few points of 1st Top tier Surging outsiders with momentum and a tough home ground

*Approximate positions and differentials based on late-December 2025 form; check the official Premier League table for live standings.

The “kings or kingmakers” question comes into focus when you look at Villa’s remaining fixtures. They have multiple head-to-head clashes with direct rivals, as well as tricky away days at clubs chasing Europe or survival.

  • Scenario 1 – Kings: Villa maintain 2+ points-per-game pace, avoid long injury crises, and take at least four points from showdowns with the likes of City, Liverpool, and Arsenal.
  • Scenario 2 – Kingmakers: A slight drop-off sees them fall a few points behind, but big results against rivals still shape who lifts the trophy.

From a neutral’s perspective, Villa now hold one of the league’s most influential schedules: beat everyone, and the fairy tale is alive; slip just enough, and they’ll still decide who doesn’t become champion.


The Roadblocks: Depth, Injuries, and Pressure

For all the excitement, there are real obstacles between Villa and a first league title since 1981. The three biggest:

  1. Squad depth: The starting XI is formidable, but a couple of injuries in key areas could expose drop-offs in quality.
  2. Fixture congestion: Balancing league duties with European and domestic cup commitments is new territory at this intensity.
  3. Mental pressure: Very few in this group have experienced a Premier League title run-in at the sharpest end.
Football player tying boots while preparing for a match
The grind of a full season will test Villa’s depth and resilience as the title race intensifies.

Opposing analysts also point to Villa’s high defensive line as a potential target if legs tire or concentration dips. A couple of high-profile slips, and the narrative can flip quickly.

“You can’t win the title in December, but you can put yourself in a position where every mistake from now on is magnified. That’s the test Villa are walking into now.”

— Television analyst on the growing pressure around Villa’s run


The Human Story: A Fanbase Daring to Dream Again

Strip away the tactics and numbers, and this is a story about a giant of English football reawakening. Villa Park has always believed it belongs on nights like these: under the lights, against the elite, with something massive on the line.

The roar of Villa Park has become a defining soundtrack of this unexpected title push.

Long-time supporters remember that 1996 cup win vividly, and many grew up hearing stories of the 1981 league title and European glory in 1982. For younger fans, this run is their first real taste of Villa as equals to England’s modern superclubs.

  • Season-ticket holders speaking of “the best atmosphere in decades.”
  • Local kids wearing current heroes’ names, not just legends from VHS tapes.
  • A city leaning into the idea that something historic might be brewing.

That emotional tailwind shouldn’t be underestimated. Title races are about nerve as much as talent, and Villa’s bond with their crowd looks like a genuine competitive edge.


2026 and Beyond: What Success Looks Like for Aston Villa

So, could 2026 really be Aston Villa’s year? The honest answer: it’s possible, but the margin for error is tiny. To turn this surge into silverware, they likely need:

  • To maintain a top-two defensive record across the full season
  • Watkins and Diaby fit and firing through the run-in
  • Smart rotation to avoid burnout, especially in midfield
  • At least one statement win away from home against a direct rival

But success doesn’t have to be binary. Even if the trophy goes elsewhere, a top-four finish, a deep European run, and a sustained presence in the title conversation would mark 2025–26 as a transformative campaign.

Whether they end up kings or kingmakers, Aston Villa have already altered the shape of the Premier League this season. The next few months will decide if this is remembered as a thrilling cameo in someone else’s story—or the opening chapter of Villa’s return to the top table of English football.

The question that lingers for every fan walking up to Villa Park now is simple: are we just influencing the title race, or about to own it?

For live fixtures, results, and standings, visit the official Aston Villa website and the Premier League.