Aston Villa are displaying the hallmark of potential Premier League champions, not just through results but through the gritty manner of their victories. Under Unai Emery, the club has secured a record six consecutive league wins, a feat underpinned by a remarkable refusal to accept defeat.
The Comeback Kings: A Statistic of Champions
The most telling indicator of Villa's newfound resilience is their staggering ability to salvage points from precarious positions. This season alone, they have gained 15 points from losing situations. This trait is not just impressive; it is historically significant. Data from Opta covering the last decade of the Premier League reveals that in seven of those ten seasons, the team with the most points recovered from deficits finished in the coveted Champions League places.
Their last three matches exemplify this fighting spirit perfectly. A dramatic last-gasp victory over league leaders Arsenal was sandwiched between comeback wins against Brighton & Hove Albion and West Ham United. The 3-2 triumph at the London Stadium was particularly symbolic, achieved without key defenders Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres, and first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.
A Worrying Pattern Emerges Away from Home
While Emery will undoubtedly love his team's character, a concerning trend will irritate the meticulous manager. All four of Villa's away league wins this term have followed a similar script: conceding an early goal. They fell behind inside five minutes at Tottenham Hotspur, early against Leeds United, were two down within 29 minutes at Brighton, and at West Ham, Mateus Fernandes scored after just 30 seconds – the fastest goal in the Premier League this season and a record early concession for Villa since 2006.
This pattern of slow starts on the road contrasts sharply with their form at Villa Park, where they have trailed in only two matches. It is an area clearly requiring Emery's attention if a sustained challenge is to be mounted.
Building Belief and Facing the Next Test
The foundation for this mental fortitude has been carefully constructed. Emery has instilled a philosophy of compartmentalising competitions and learning collectively from difficult experiences. The squad's belief has been turbocharged by landmark victories, including beating Manchester City in each of the last three seasons, along with wins over Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham, and European giants like Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain.
The next challenge comes against a Manchester United side with a mirror-image problem. While Villa have gained 15 points from losing positions, United have dropped 10 points from winning positions this season. Only Brentford and Newcastle United have been more prone to surrendering leads. As Villa pursue a tenth consecutive victory in all competitions, this clash presents a stark contrast in mentality at a crucial stage of the campaign.
The evidence is mounting that Aston Villa are developing the key characteristics required to compete at the very top. Their capacity for recovery has been exceptional, turning potential defeats into vital wins. If Emery can address the slow away starts, this blend of resilience and quality makes the early talk of a title challenge far more than mere speculation.
