LONDON — Aston Villa are setting new records, but the crucial question remains: Can they clinch the Premier League? After they came from behind to secure a 2-1 victory against Chelsea on Saturday, Unai Emery’s squad can confidently answer “Yes.”
Currently, Villa is riding an impressive eight-match winning streak in the Premier League, leaving heavyweight teams like Chelsea, Liverpool, and Manchester United in their wake. Collectively, those teams hold 46 English league titles, but it’s Villa that leaders Arsenal and Manchester City are beginning to worry about instead of the three underachieving giants.
At the season’s outset, following their victory over Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain for the FIFA Club World Cup in the U.S. last summer, Chelsea appeared to be the leading contender for the title.
However, as the 2025-26 season approaches its midpoint, Chelsea finds itself in a battle with Liverpool and Manchester United for the consolation prize of fourth place and Champions League qualification, while Villa gears up for a title challenge against Arsenal and Manchester City.
– How much is each position really worth in the Premier League?
– Arsenal sure look unconvincing at the top of the Premier League
– Ranked: The top 50 women’s footballers in the world of 2025
If there are skeptics doubting Villa’s title aspirations, a victory in their next match could silence them for good, as they prepare to visit league leaders Arsenal on Tuesday, knowing that a win would draw them level on points with the Gunners.
Villa has historically performed well against Arsenal, with a win and a draw in their last two Premier League visits to the Emirates, and they recently defeated Arsenal at home on December 6, making Tuesday’s match a winnable one.
With their win against Chelsea, Villa achieved their 11th consecutive victory across all competitions for the first time since 1914. A further win against Mikel Arteta’s team would tie the club’s record for the highest league streak of nine straight victories, originally set between October and December of 1910.
Ollie Watkins, who scored twice after coming on as a second-half substitute, played a key role in sealing the win for his team. While the England international stopped short of calling Villa title contenders, he acknowledged that opponents are now “worried” about them.
“I feel like teams are concerned about us, even if our football isn’t always the prettiest,” Watkins told Sky Sports. “There’s a lot of discussion about our title chances, but it’s a long way to go. We’re just focused on the next match.”
The nature of their victory over Chelsea emphasizes the significance of their upcoming game.
Although Villa struggled in the first half—dominated by Chelsea, who should have extended their lead—they only went into halftime with a slim 1-0 advantage thanks to a goal from João Pedro from a corner taken by Reece James.
Chelsea, under Enzo Maresca, boasts a wealth of attacking talent and plays at a thrilling pace, but they often struggle to control games and secure wins.
It’s no surprise that Chelsea has dropped 11 points from winning positions at home this season, and their inability to maintain leads has led Maresca to suggest they need more seasoned players.
In contrast, Villa possesses experienced players like captain John McGinn, Youri Tielemans, Emi Martinez, and Watkins. Their collective experience was crucial in Villa’s ability to recover from a challenging first half and turn the game around after the break.
0:51
Is Unai Emery the Premier League manager of the season?
Janusz Michallik discusses why he believes Unai Emery deserves to be recognized as the Premier League manager of the season following Aston Villa’s remarkable eleventh win against Chelsea.
“This is all about mentality,” Emery explained to reporters. “We have experienced players with skill, and it was fantastic how we defended compactly in the first half when we were struggling.
“In the second half, we gained momentum. We wanted to play that way in the first half and didn’t quite manage it, but during the second half, we introduced fresh legs with the right mentality, and the players showed their quality and capacity—it made a significant impact.
“Being resilient and maintaining our mindset after the first half was crucial, but we knew the second half would present different challenges.”
The match turned following Emery’s tactical adjustments. Trailing 1-0 and lacking offensive threat, the Villa manager substituted McGinn, Emiliano Buendía, and Boubacar Kamara at the 59-minute mark, bringing on Amadou Onana, Jadon Sancho, and Watkins, resulting in almost immediate rewards.
Watkins leveled the score just four minutes later, converting a pass from Morgan Rogers, after which Villa took control as Chelsea faltered. The energy from the substitutes and Villa’s superior experience overwhelmed the home team, leading to Watkins securing the win with a header from a Tielemans corner in the 84th minute.
Villa could have added to their lead, and as they celebrated on the pitch after the final whistle, supporters chanted, “We’re gonna win the league.” In stark contrast, Chelsea left the field to a chorus of boos, their precarious title hopes dashed.
“If you analyze the first hour of the game, it’s not about experience,” Maresca noted. “But after that, we faced challenges. Their substitutions—Watkins, Onana, and Sancho—gave them an edge.”
Maresca’s comment might be a bit understated. Villa achieved victory because they played an advantage that Chelsea lacks—experience—a concern that will persist unless the Blues reconsider their recruitment strategy.
But for now, Chelsea will need to focus on their battle for fourth place while Villa continues their quest for the title, aiming to achieve it for the first time since 1981.