Just 11 weeks ago, Aston Villa were winless, rooted in the Premier League’s bottom three, and searching for direction. Today, they sit third in the table, firmly involved in discussions about the title race—an extraordinary turnaround shaped by the unwavering conviction of manager Unai Emery.
Saturday’s dramatic 2-1 win over league leaders Arsenal underscored Villa’s growing pedigree. It was Emery’s 63rd Premier League victory, making him the most successful manager in the club’s top-flight history. With a 54.94% win rate from 162 Premier League fixtures, only Manchester City and Arsenal have earned more points (71) than Villa’s 67 in the 2025 calendar year.
In Europe, Villa prepare to face Basel on Thursday, knowing a win would place them on the brink of the Europa League last 16—another indication of how far they have progressed since their sluggish start.
Villa opened the season in dismal form: bottom three in the league, eliminated early from the Carabao Cup, and the last team across the English Football League to score a goal. Summer transfer constraints, driven by Profit and Sustainability Rules, limited Emery’s options, while the departure of president of football operations Monchi in September added further instability.
Questions inevitably followed about whether Emery had lost his early momentum.
Yet instead of overhauling his methods, Emery did the opposite: he doubled down.
The Spaniard refused to abandon the principles that had transformed Villa from relegation candidates in 2022 to Champions League quarter-finalists less than two years later. Though expectations had swelled—and pressure with it—Emery resisted calls for tactical changes or dramatic shifts in approach.
The squad needed renewal but financial limitations restricted spending to striker Evann Guessand and goalkeeper Marco Bizot. Notable departures, including Jacob Ramsey and on-loan attackers Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio, only deepened concerns.
Even as Ollie Watkins struggled—scoring just once across his first 19 matches—Emery remained resolute. Reinforcements are expected in January, with teenage Brazilian winger Alysson close to joining from Grêmio, but Emery’s focus remained internal.
At the training ground, Emery has complete control—something he lacked at Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain. His detailed video analysis, tactical drilling, and insistence on high focus levels have remained unchanged, despite the early-season slump.
Privately, he bristled at suggestions he should alter the team’s style or structure. Instead, he closed ranks, shielded his players, and concentrated on rebuilding confidence.
Emery has been described as a “force of nature”—a coach whose intensity, ambition and clarity have driven Villa forward. He now works with a trusted leadership structure, including director of football operations Damian Vidagany and newly appointed football chief Roberto Olabe, a long-time ally.
It is a stark contrast to his shorter and more turbulent tenures in London and Paris, where he lacked the authority and institutional support now afforded to him at Villa Park.
Publicly, Emery continues to downplay Villa’s title credentials.
“I am not thinking about it,” he said after beating Arsenal. “Thirty-eight matches is very difficult. We are not contenders.”
However, Villa’s form paints a compelling picture. They have won nine of their last 10 Premier League games, losing only to Liverpool, and 13 of their last 15 in all competitions.
Despite not always convincing—only the 4-0 win over Bournemouth was a complete performance—they have repeatedly found ways to win. Notably, both Arsenal and Manchester City have fallen to them during this run.
Underlying metrics highlight the transformation:
Interestingly, Villa have had less possession and fewer box entries than earlier in the season, suggesting a shift toward efficiency and ruthlessness—hallmarks of Emery’s tactical identity.
Emery has not reinvented Aston Villa. Instead, he has trusted his methods, reinforced belief, and demanded consistency. The result is a side that, despite early setbacks and limited resources, now challenges England’s best and navigates Europe with confidence.
While Emery distances himself from title-race talk, Villa’s form suggests they may be more involved than he is willing to admit—and with performances continuing to rise, the question now is not whether they belong near the top, but how far Emery can take them.
