Updated March 17, 2026
Emery's Villa emerge as genuine title contenders
Aston Villa have been the surprise package of the 2025-26 season, sitting level on points with Manchester United in the battle for a top-four finish and at times pushing Arsenal and City at the summit. Unai Emery's side have lost just once since October, assembling the kind of run that has turned Villa Park into one of the most feared grounds in England. With Champions League football already secured for next season looking increasingly likely, Emery has transformed Villa from a mid-table side into a European force in barely three years.
Watkins thrives as the undisputed number nine
The departure of Jhon Duran to Al Nassr in a deal worth around 77 million euros removed a talented but unsettled presence from the squad and allowed Ollie Watkins to reclaim his role as Villa's undisputed striker. Watkins has responded with his most prolific season in claret and blue, forming devastating partnerships with the creative runners around him. Emery publicly stated he did not want to lose Watkins and the England international has repaid that faith with consistent performances at the highest level.
Champions League progress raises Villa's European ambitions
Villa's second consecutive Champions League campaign has been a marked improvement on their debut, with Emery's tactical adaptability shining in continental competition. Quarter-final ties against Paris Saint-Germain have tested the squad's depth and character, and regardless of the outcome, Villa have demonstrated they belong at Europe's top table. The revenue and prestige from back-to-back Champions League campaigns have accelerated the club's growth off the pitch as well.