Aston Villa’s campaign has taken on the shape of an extraordinary transformation—one that few would have predicted after their stumbling start to the season. What began as a frustrating and winless run has now morphed into a streak of resilience, tactical coherence, and mould-breaking momentum. Their journey from the depths of early-season disappointment to becoming one of the most dangerous sides in English football is as dramatic as it is deliberate, driven by a manager whose passion has electrified every moment on the touchline.
In one of the standout snapshots of the season, Unai Emery found himself battling with his black puffer coat at the Amex Stadium, a moment now etched into Villa folklore. It came after the emotional uproar of Aston Villa’s thrilling 4-3 comeback win over Brighton, a match that seemed to signal a shift in both belief and trajectory. The chaotic coat-wrestling episode was instantly reminiscent of football's more humorous sideline struggles—memories of Mario Balotelli fumbling with a warm-up bib or Tim Sherwood, once the Villa manager himself, flinging his club jacket to the turf. Yet this time, the chaos symbolised renewed fire rather than frustration.
By the time the final whistle blew that day, Emery’s voice was noticeably hoarse, but Villa had earned something more valuable: another win in a growing list of triumphs. Their 4-3 victory added to a sequence that became six straight wins, part of an astounding run of eight victories in nine Premier League matches, and 12 wins in 14 across all competitions. Across the past ten league outings, they have secured 25 points, the highest in the division during that stretch. Only Manchester City have found the net more frequently, and only Arsenal have been more defensively disciplined during the same period. This remarkable ascent has been powered by the same squad that failed to win any of its opening six matches and collected a mere three points from its first five games.
That difficult opening led Emery to voice his concerns directly to his squad, urging the group to elevate their standards both in training and on the pitch. Crucially, belief did not fracture. With an average age of 27.4, Villa boast one of the league’s most seasoned squads—joint-oldest with Fulham—and that experience may now be one of their greatest advantages.
As the weekend approaches, Villa find themselves on the cusp of a milestone: a seventh consecutive league win would bring them within three points of league leaders Arsenal. The progress is reminiscent of their Champions League push 18 months ago, a campaign they heartbreakingly missed out on last season after a tense defeat at Manchester United on the final day. But now the question is quietly emerging among supporters and pundits alike: has this group finally hit its peak, or are they only just beginning to realise their full potential?
What is undeniable is the consistency within the squad. Nine players who featured in Emery’s very first match—a 3-1 win over Manchester United in November 2022—remain essential. Emiliano Martínez continues to command his box as the undisputed No. 1. Ezri Konsa has matured into not only a defensive leader but a reliable option for club and country. John McGinn and Boubacar Kamara have become midfield enforcers, while the likes of Lucas Digne, Matty Cash, and Emiliano Buendía appear reinvigorated. Ollie Watkins spearheads the attack with trademark grit, and Tyrone Mings, before injury, was a central pillar of the defensive structure.
What should concern opponents is that Villa’s flourishing form has not necessarily been paired with complete dominance in every match. Even amid their strong run, many wins have been earned through perseverance rather than overpowering superiority. Only the emphatic 4-0 victory over a struggling Bournemouth side stands out as a display of ruthless control. In October, Villa pieced together four wins from five, highlighted by a stunning comeback at Tottenham and a statement victory over Manchester City, where Cash’s decisive strike underscored his growing influence. November brought five wins in six, yet Watkins—Villa’s primary striker and long-time talisman—had only scored once in 19 previous appearances before his recent resurgence.
The emergence of Donyell Malen has been essential. Signed from Borussia Dortmund last year, the former Arsenal youth product has stepped out of the shadows to become Villa's top scorer this season. And Watkins, who Emery recently revealed had been quietly managing knee pain since early last season, seems reinvigorated after his brace against Brighton. With the striker now approaching his 30th birthday at the end of December, his reliability remains one of Villa’s most valuable assets, with five straight seasons of hitting double digits in goals.
Much of Villa’s strength also stems from their formidable record at Villa Park. Emery has transformed the home ground into a fortress, losing only eight of 58 league games there—and only two since the start of last season. Even after early setbacks such as the 3-0 loss to Crystal Palace, Villa have responded by winning eight consecutive home matches across all competitions.
This season has not been without turbulence. Key players such as Digne, Cash, Kamara, McGinn, and Morgan Rogers have renewed their contracts, stabilising the squad after a summer overshadowed by financial concerns. The £40m sale of Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle due to PSR constraints was a blow that unsettled many within the squad, prompting questions about the club's ability to compete while navigating tight financial margins.
On deadline day, Villa made decisive moves to reinforce their ranks, bringing in Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho on loan. Elliott’s deal included an obligation to buy for £35m after ten appearances, yet the midfielder astonishingly has not featured since 2 October. Sancho, meanwhile, has still not earned his first league start. Their limited involvement underscores how settled the core of Emery’s team truly is.
Last month, captain John McGinn summarised the squad’s mentality with raw honesty, referring to the emotional impact of missing out on the Champions League as the “hangover” that lingered into the early fixtures. “It was a big wake-up call,” he admitted, reflecting on PSR pressures and squad uncertainty. “It certainly did affect us… And I think we’ve recovered now, after a slow start.”
If Aston Villa maintain their course, this revival could become one of the most captivating Premier League stories in years. Their blend of experience, resilience, and dogged ambition may yet carry them further than anyone anticipated.
