Just 11 weeks ago, Aston Villa found themselves without a victory and sitting third bottom of the Premier League.
Now, however, driven by boss Unai Emery, they occupy third place with increasing talk about their potential role in the championship chase.
Saturday's thrilling finale against table-toppers Arsenal highlighted their credentials, with the 2-1 victory marking Emery's 63rd Premier League win – the most in the team's history.
An Impressive Statistical Turnaround
From his 162 matches in charge, Emery holds a win rate of 54.94%.
Additionally, in the 2025 campaign, only Arsenal and Manchester City have gathered more points (71) than Villa's total of 67 from 34 outings.
This change is particularly noteworthy given the squad's start to the campaign, which saw them in the bottom three, knocked out of the Carabao Cup, and the final team in the Football League to score a goal.
Doubts were asked about Emery's methods after a close-season where spending power was limited by financial rules.
The Emery Method: Steadfastness Above All
What exactly has Emery changed to spark this revival? The straightforward answer is nothing.
The dedicated Spaniard has shown the conviction to stick to his beliefs and guide his team through initial problems.
It was clear that the club was lacking energy, beyond in terms of results. The meteoric rise under Emery in previous years had raised expectations immensely.
Fatigue from their journey to the Champions League quarter-finals appeared widespread, impacting both the supporters and the pitch.
"I am not thinking about it [the title]," Emery stated after the impressive win over Arsenal. "I know 38 matches is incredibly tough. We are not considered a challenger."
Building a Fortress at Bodymoor Heath
Emery views the training complex at Bodymoor Heath as a fortress, with a high level of focus demanded from everyone.
He has remained steadfast, even as key striker Ollie Watkins struggled for goals early on.
The level of control he enjoys at Villa Park is substantial – a situation he lacked during his tenures at Arsenal or Paris Saint-Germain.
This environment has allowed his meticulous methods, from drills to tactical reviews, to stay unchanged and ultimately pay dividends.
By the Numbers of Improvement
Having stuck to his game plan, the results are now evident.
Villa have won nine of their last ten Premier League matches.
A look at their most recent five top-flight fixtures shows telling improvements:
- Expected Goals (xG): 8.8 compared to 3.8 at the beginning of the season.
- Total Shots: 75 compared to 52.
- Big Chances Created: 10 compared to six.
Although it took Villa time to get going, Unai Emery has demonstrated to be their most potent asset and spearheaded their ascent in genuinely remarkable style.
