West Ham 2-3 Aston Villa 

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Before the start of the Premier League season, many believed the title race was supposedly a coin toss between champions Liverpool and Arsenal. Then, the Gunners moved into their own territory as title favourites, before Chelsea and Manchester City joined the party. Then Chelsea went four games without winning, leaving Arsenal and City as the main contenders. But heading into the festive period, Aston Villa have thrown their name into the conversation after embarking on an incredible run of form under Unai Emery, winning 10 of their last 11 games.

It looked so unlikely only a few months ago, when Villa could barely buy a goal let alone a win in the league. After five games, Emery’s men were in the relegation zone and people were even calling for his job. Emery, though, simply called for patience and faith in his work: “A point that doesn’t shine, yes, we need goals, of course they will come… but a point that strengthens us and our spirit,” he wrote on X.com. “We’re working well and we’ll soon improve. The first stone of a magnificent construction never attracts the attention of spectators. But it’s very necessary.”

Villa aren’t just providing wins for their own fans, they’re entertaining neutrals as well. A 2-1 win over Arsenal, a 4-3 away triumph at Brighton and on Sunday, December 14, the Midlands outfit pulled off another comeback to beat West Ham 3-2. Morgan Rogers, who went those first five games without a goal or assist, is becoming a regular feature on the scoresheet again and bagged another brace to turn the game on its head.

He now has scored five goals and registered three assists in his last 10 Premier League matches, coinciding with Villa’s upturn in form. Similarly, Youri Tielemans’ return to the team from a calf injury has certainly improved their play in the midfield areas and Ollie Watkins has found the net again after a long drought. Even right-back Matty Cash has chipped in with some important goals.

Rogers has taken giant steps towards becoming an England starter at next year’s 2026 World Cup and, for that reason, he will be even more motivated to continue his fine form. As for Villa, they have already travelled to Anfield and the Emirates this season, getting those tough trips against the top sides out of the way.

Does that mean they could be dark horses in this title race? With Arsenal looking jaded and Liverpool’s inconsistent form, Villa’s 10 wins from 11 games means no one can rule them out as a genuine threat. The only question that remains is how Emery can steer his side through a tricky festive period.