Premier League legend Alan Shearer has declared Aston Villa as genuine title contenders after their stunning comeback victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Shearer's Verdict on Villa's Title Charge
Speaking after the match on Saturday, 29th December 2025, the Match of the Day pundit acknowledged Villa's remarkable form but expressed a note of caution. "We are nearly halfway through the season and you have to say that Aston Villa are genuine title contenders," Shearer stated. He added, "Do I think they'll win it? No, but that is purely because the depth of their squad isn't quite there. But anything is possible under Unai Emery."
Shearer was full of praise for manager Unai Emery's impact, particularly his game-changing substitutions. "His game management is superb as he showed yet again with his three subs at Stamford Bridge," Shearer said. "They weren't in the game in the first half, but the introduction of Ollie Watkins, Jadon Sancho and Amadou Onana was inspired. His team just does not know when they are beaten."
A Record-Breaking Run and Chelsea Comeback
The 2-1 win in West London, secured by an Ollie Watkins double, marked Villa's 11th consecutive victory in all competitions. This incredible run includes eight straight Premier League wins, sequences not seen at the club since 1914 and 1910 respectively.
The result keeps Villa firmly in the title conversation, sitting just one victory behind leaders Arsenal and Manchester City. Crucially, Emery's side have already beaten both of those teams this season, with a pivotal trip to the Emirates Stadium next on the fixture list.
Emery's Cautious Approach Amidst the Hype
Despite the growing excitement, manager Unai Emery remains deliberately measured. Speaking to Match of the Day, he played down immediate title talk. "We are not going to speak about our target in the league until we are in the day 34," Emery insisted, highlighting the challenge posed by traditional heavyweights.
He elaborated, "Of course we are performing very well, we are in a row winning matches... we are progressively getting better and being humble." When directly asked if he saw his team in the title race, Emery was clear: "No, 38 matches, no, not."
Nevertheless, the statistics are undeniable. From a winless start of five matches, Villa have surged to a club-record run, opening a 10-point gap over fifth place in the Premier League table. As Shearer concluded, "What they are doing is great for the Premier League - it's brilliant." The upcoming clash with Arsenal promises to be a major test of their championship credentials.
