Serie A side Girona want to sign Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen with Aston Villa no longer expected to pursue a move for the Germany international. (Sport - in Spanish), external
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Phil McNulty
Chief football writer
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Aston Villa's fans believe it. Aston Villa's players look like they believe it. Unai Emery will never say if he believes it.
One thing, however, can no longer be denied - Aston Villa must now be taken seriously as Premier League title contenders.
Emery met the inevitable question about whether Villa can mount a challenge with the straightest of bats: "Not really. We are competing very well. We are third in the league behind Arsenal and Manchester City. Wow."
Wow indeed.
Emery demonstrated he is not only the master of strategy, but also expectation management.
It took until Villa were in sight of a dramatic victory at Chelsea, where they came from behind to win 2-1 through substitute Ollie Watkins' header six minutes from time, until the deafening songs of belief rang around Stamford Bridge.
But the evidence is compelling:
Villa's victory was their 11th in succession, equalling a club record set in September 1897 and March 1914. They have now won eight consecutive top-flight games for the first time since a run of nine between October and December 1910.
At the end of matchday five this season, Villa sat 18th and were without a Premier League victory. From matchday six onwards, they have won more games and more points than any other side.
Villa have never had more points after 18 games of a Premier League season than their current tally of 39.
The statistics state an eloquent case.
Alan Shearer touched on the Emery factor as one reason Villa could yet defy his own belief they will not win the title.
"We are nearly halfway through the season and you have to say that Aston Villa are genuine title contenders," said Shearer, also a Match of the Day pundit.
"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.
"His game management is superb as he showed yet again with his three subs at Stamford Bridge. 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."
Pundits Alan Shearer and Wayne Rooney join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Friday and Saturday's Premier League fixtures.
And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
Phil McNulty
Chief football writer
Image source, Getty ImagesUnai Emery is currently the manager who can do no wrong, and it was his game-changing substitutions that turned this encounter on its head to confirm that Aston Villa simply must be in the Premier League title conversation.
The Spaniard saw his side struggling to lay a glove on Chelsea, who were 1-0 ahead and comfortable, so acted decisively to set the platform for a superb victory.
He did not even wait until the hour before making the three substitutions that shifted the emphasis entirely in Villa's direction.
Ollie Watkins, in particular, was transformative, as his pace and direct running suddenly caused havoc in a Chelsea defence that had been in cruise control.
He was razor-sharp, albeit with a sprinkling of good fortune, to pounce for Villa's equaliser, then showed his power in the air to send an unstoppable header past the previously defiant Robert Sanchez.
It came at the end of a spell of fierce Villa pressure as Chelsea wilted and Emery's side grew in stature.
Villa remain hard on the heels of pace-setters Arsenal and Manchester City, with a visit to Emirates Stadium to come in three days' time.
They will travel to north London with growing belief they can continue to shake up the established order at the top of the Premier League.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's victory against Chelsea: "We kept the same game plan we had at the first half, but the first half they were playing fantastic. They were dominating. We couldn't get the ball easily. We were defending low, we are defending well. We didn't concede corners, only one corner and they score.
"But we needed to be passionate and try to keep being resilient and we were speaking after the first half in the dressing room. Normally we could improve like we did because they were pushing a lot in the first half and in the second half we knew we could have our momentum, as well to control the game better than the first half."
On what he told the substitutes as they came on: "We were getting better but we needed to change some fresh legs and as well different players. And of course every play in the second half after when they win the match their impact was very fantastic and necessary."
On Ollie Watkins' performance: "He was so, so focused. Keeping the game plan like we planned and doing his tasks, he's normally getting his numbers and today scoring goals is fantastic."
On the chance to go level with league leaders Arsenal if they beat them on Tuesday: "Of course we are playing against Arsenal and our mentality is to compete strongly. We are not going to speak about our target in the league until we are in the day 34 because there are teams contending with a huge power to get points like Liverpool, like Chelsea and they are keeping contending more than us to be there.
"Of course we are performing very well, we are in a row-winning matches, we are competing fantastic, we competed first half fantastic and we were struggling. But the second half more or less like this season we are progressively getting better and being humble."
On if he sees his side in the title race: "No, 38 matches, no, not. If it finishes tomorrow then this match against Arsenal is finishing the league. There is still another 20 matches to play."
Did you know?
Across the last three Premier League seasons, Aston Villa have won more points from losing positions than any other Premier League side (54).
Aston Villa have won eight consecutive top-flight matches for the first time since a run of nine wins between October and December 1910. In all competitions, their 11-game winning run equals a club record, set in September 1897 and March 1914 previously.
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Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Chelsea's performance
What did you make of Aston Villa's display?
Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies
Chelsea make two changes from the 2-2 draw at Newcastle last weekend, with Benoit Badiashile replacing Wesley Fofana and Enzo Fernandez replacing Malo Gusto.
Attackers Estevao Willian and Liam Delap return from injury to make the substitutes.
Chelsea XI: Sanchez, James, Chalobah, Badiashile, Cucurella, Caicedo, Fernandez, Neto, Palmer, Garnacho, Joao Pedro.
Subs: Jorgensen, Fofana, Tosin, Acheampong, Gusto, Santos, Estevao, Gittens, Delap.
Aston Villa make two changes from their 2-1 win over Manchester United, with Donyell Malen and Emiliano Buendía coming in for Amadou Onana and Ollie Watkins.
Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen, Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn, Buendia, Rogers, Malen.
Subs: Bizot, Digne, Garcia, Bogarde, Hemmings, Onana, Sancho, Watkins, Jimoh-Aloba
There are seven games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
Nottingham Forest v Manchester City (12:30)
Arsenal v Brighton - BBC Radio 5 Live
Brentford v Bournemouth
Burnley v Everton
Liverpool v Wolves - BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
West Ham v Fulham
Chelsea v Aston Villa (17:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live
Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated
Follow all of the action and reaction here
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Arsenal v Brighton" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Chelsea v Aston Villa", for instance.
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I could not believe that Aston Villa were getting criticism on the Monday Night Club because they are only winning games by the odd goal.
I made the point that I don't remember going in the dressing room as a player and being down about only winning 2-1.
They are on an incredible run of 10 wins on the spin, including beating Arsenal and Manchester City. Morgan Rogers is on fire, and I think you have to respect them as title contenders.
This is a real test for them, however, and it is only a few weeks since we were saying the same about Chelsea being in the title race after they drew against Arsenal with 10 men.
I played for both these clubs and am highly thought of by both sets of fans.
It is the Chelsea fans who I think will be smiling at full-time, though, once they've finished singing my name.
I have got a lot of time for Blues boss Enzo Maresca, who is like Villa manager Unai Emery in the way he sticks to his footballing principles.
Chelsea showed their resilience when they fought back from 2-0 down to draw with Newcastle and I can see them digging in again here, to end Villa's winning run.
Sutton's prediction: 2-1
Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist
Chelsea seek to narrow the gap to third-placed Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on 27 December. BBC Sport explores some talking points before the game.
A 'cold' war?
This fixture pits two friends and English number 10s against each other. Bragging rights are currently with Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers over Cole Palmer, his predecessor as PFA Young Player of the Year.
Palmer is still finding his rhythm as he slowly overcomes a groin issue which, along with a fractured toe, kept him out for eight league matches until the beginning of December. Rogers, on the other hand, has rebounded impressively from a poor start to the season which culminated in ironic cheers from some Villa fans when he completed a pass against Bologna – a Europa League game during which he lost possession 29 times.
The 23-year-old's 'cold' goalscoring celebration – which he created and Palmer copied while the two players were at the Manchester City academy – has been out in force over the past two games, having scoring twice against both West Ham and Manchester United. He's provided 10 goal involvements in the Premier League this season, the most of any English player across the opening 17 games.
Nonetheless, since the beginning of last season it is Palmer who has been the more prolific scorer and creator, while his superior passing accuracy highlights a key area in which Rogers can still improve his consistency.
Villa continue to defy odds
Chelsea and Aston Villa have both finished fourth and sixth in the past two seasons, utilising opposing strategies to push for Champions League qualification.
While Chelsea have spent – and sold – big on young players with potential, Villa manager Unai Emery generally prizes experience and the club's transfer dealings have been heavily restricted under spending rules linked to revenue.
Villa have only spent £58.3m on initial fees over the two transfer windows in 2025 but have the third most points in the Premier League this year. It amounts to 1.25 points per million pounds spent, ensuring they continue to punch far above their weight to compete with the division's traditional heavyweights.
Villa have actually made a £77m transfer profit this year, comfortably the highest figure in the top flight, and yet on Saturday they could equal their club record of 11 consecutive victories in all competitions, last achieved in 1914.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (17:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Emery confirmed he has the same players available as for last weekend's win over Manchester United, apart from Ivory Coast striker Evann Guessand who has now left for Afcon: "The players who are injured are still injured and the other players are ready for the normal process to play."
On the mood of his side before the trip to top-four rivals Chelsea, he said: "Our momentum is important and tomorrow of course is a huge test for us. We are very motivated and excited. We are focused strongly to do our best."
On the busy Christmas fixture schedule: "With each match, we try to have a good rest, recover players, have good food and focus for the next match with the players we have. We may need some rotation to try and avoid the risk of injured players and try to use fresh legs. Motivation is high and with our supporters we can feel the energy to play football and try to get our best."
He is expecting a strong Blues side on Saturday: "We respect a lot for how difficult the Premier League is. Chelsea are favourites to be in the top four, even to fight for the trophy because they have very good players, a good coach and they are playing better. They are behind us but they are feeling strong and they are playing confident and competing very well against the better teams."
Emery reflected on a successful 2025, but also stressed his motivation to improve: "My idea is to improve everything and get a new challenge collectively and individually. We want to build emotion with our supporters and enjoy different moments - moments that can help us connect with our supporters. "
Image source, Getty ImagesAston Villa head coach Unai Emery has hailed the impact of Morgan Rogers after the midfielder's outstanding first half of the Premier League season.
Rogers has seven goals and three assists in 17 league appearances, helping propel Emery's side into third place on 36 points - just three behind leaders Arsenal.
"He's a fantastic guy," Emery said. "He loves football - his commitment with the club is fantastic, his attitude every day. He's a leader in the dressing room because he's always positive, he has energy, and then he has skills, of course.
"His versatility is very important and to be positive playing 10 numbers inside, 10 numbers outside, even like a winger, is very, very important for us. Through the mentality he's showing, he can get his best and adding numbers now - goals, assists."
Emery was also asked about Villa's upcoming tests at Chelsea and Arsenal with his side now firmly in the conversation at the top end of the table.
While acknowledging the challenge ahead, the Spaniard struck a balance between realism and ambition, insisting Villa will embrace their position and approach the next fixtures with confidence.
"Everything we did is done," he insisted. "We are in the table with now some points advantage over Chelsea, but they have contended more than us to be in the top five to four to three.
"We started like a team that weren't contenders to be in the top seven, top six, top five, top four, top three. We are realistic, but as well ambitious, and we are not going to refuse anything about how we are in the table, and what we can get in the next week with the challenge against Chelsea.
"Of course, they are favourites. Hopefully, we can perform, we can play part of the game and get our game plan, get in our energy for the next match."
Listen to full commentary of Chelsea v Aston Villa from 17:30 GMT on Saturday on BBC Radio 5 Live
Boss Unai Emery faces a quiet January transfer window as Aston Villa still have concerns about adhering to the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability rules. (GiveMeSport), external
Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter
Image source, Getty ImagesWhat do you give to the man who has everything?
I dare say there will be brands keen to sponsor a new coat for Unai Emery if his new trademark goal celebration, seen at Brighton and last weekend at Villa Park, catches on.
But Villa are in a remarkable flow just now, with a better-stocked squad than when they were last this close to the top of the Premier League two years ago.
Although Emery has hinted that they will try to make judicious signings when the window opens, there is a case for allowing only minimal disruption to a squad which is operating so well.
Emery's record demonstrates his expertise in using the depth available in his squad to challenge effectively on multiple fronts.
They could stand another striker, but it may be tricky to find exactly the right one – somebody as good as Ollie Watkins, but content to be mainly back-up to a player still clearly fundamental to Emery's preferred style, creating gaps for others to exploit even when not scoring regularly himself.
And perhaps some relaxing bath salts to help keep Emi Martinez's back soothed, after he missed several games at short notice recently, although his understudy Marco Bizot has never let the side down.
Hannah Gowen
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesAfter a subdued summer transfer window, Aston Villa approach January with the same financial limitations to work with. However, with the team on a fierce run of form, it feels there are just a few areas in the squad that need revisiting in the winter market.
The main consideration will be reinforcing the squad for what will be an intense five remaining months of the season. Premier League top four hopes are strong, and must be maintained, while progression in the Europa League will be near the top of Unai Emery's priorities.
To achieve all of this, with the FA Cup still on the cards for now, Villa will need at least a couple of players through the door.
It seems plausible that Emery and his backroom staff will adopt a similar approach to that of the January 2025 window, with a few loanees brought in to plug holes and bolster key positions. The signings of Marco Asensio, Marcus Rashford and Axel Disasi proved to be key in the latter months of last term.
Centre-back is the most glaring area of the squad needing attention at the moment, with the injuries to Tyrone Mings and Pau Torres leaving Villa very thin at the back. Although both of these players are expected to return to action soon, it seems reasonable to call in a relatively low-cost, dependable defender for additional cover.
The other position in question is attacking midfield, or out on the wing. Harvey Elliott could well be on his way back to Liverpool after his failed move and Jadon Sancho has so far been underwhelming.
Potential targets may not be of the same calibre as Rashford and Asensio, but it seems likely that Emery will want to add goals to his side, particularly with Ollie Watkins out of form. A player with pace, and understanding of playing in Europe, could be exactly what Villa need to fire into a successful second half of the season.
Find more from Hannah Gowen at UTV, external
Former Premier League striker Chris Sutton believes Aston Villa can contend for the Premier League title this season and expects there is "still more to come" from key players like striker Ollie Watkins.
Unai Emery's side head into Christmas sitting third in the league table, just three points off leaders Arsenal and one point off second-placed Manchester City, with a 10-match winning-streak in all competitions.
"Aston Villa are in a pretty good place," said Sutton on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club. "We all got excited when Chelsea drew with Arsenal and we said they were title challengers, and Aston Villa are seven points ahead of Chelsea now.
"They are on a great run, they are finding a way to win, and in many respects I feel there is still more to come from players like Ollie Watkins.
"If they keep winning as they are doing, keep growing their confidence and keep a pretty strong bench, then why shouldn't we say they are title challengers?"
Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds
Aston Villa have made contact with out-of-favour 24-year-old Wales and Tottenham winger Brennan Johnson's representatives, with Crystal Palace also interested. (Teamtalk), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column
Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist
XPTS = Expected Points
Third in the table at Christmas and just three points off the leaders.
For many of the traditional 'top six' sides, this would automatically include them in the conversation of the title race.
But for Aston Villa, the questions around whether they are genuine contenders to lift that Premier League trophy come the end of the season are hanging in the air.
Their 2-1 victory over a team in Manchester United who they have struggled to pick up three points against at home in recent years, took them to 10 consecutive wins in all competitions - their best run as a top-flight club since 1914.
Despite the league position and form of Unai Emery's side, Opta's Supercomputer - which uses data and algorithms to predict where teams are most likely to finish in the league - still only gives Villa a 5.3% chance of lifting their first domestic league trophy since 1981.
Whether they are genuine title contenders this season formed much of the debate on Sunday, with former England forward Sue Smith telling BBC Radio 5 Live: "You cannot say that they're not in a title race because they just keep doing it.
"We keep saying they've got a test, they've got another test, they've got another test but they just keep passing them.
"It's absolutely outstanding for Aston Villa and yes, they are [in the race], aren't they?"
Ex-Villa striker Dion Dublin, discussing it on Match of the Day, said: "Yes [they are in the title race]. Why wouldn't they be? They are three points behind the leaders and why not?
"They didn't play well but they got over the line against a Manchester United side which they don't usually beat.
"Maybe they haven't had convincing scorelines - by three or four goals - but a manager like Unai Emery has the credentials to keep them at this level and keep them as close as he possibly can, right towards the end of the season. So yes, I do think they are in a title race."
However, former Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney was less convinced, adding: "I don't think they are [in a title race]. That is not me being disrespectful to Aston Villa, they are just not as good as Arsenal or Manchester City.
"They are doing excellent, they are doing great, but to win the title it takes a lot and I just don't feel they are going to be in the title race.
"I think it takes something special to win the Premier League title and I just don't think Aston Villa are at the level of Arsenal or City."
What do you think? Are Aston Villa genuine title contenders?
Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesAston Villa's surge towards the top end of the Premier League table continues to challenge some of football's most trusted underlying metrics.
Unai Emery's side have now scored 27 goals this season, the sixth-highest tally in the league, despite ranking just 11th for total shots (197). On the surface, those numbers appear contradictory, but they speak to a team extracting maximum value from the chances they do create.
Villa's expected goals (xG) of 18.56 ranks 14th in the division, meaning they have scored over eight goals more than expected - one of the largest positive differentials in the league. Their shot conversion rate of 13.7%, the fourth-best in the Premier League, underlines that clinical edge.
The same pattern emerges when looking at chance creation. Villa sit 13th for expected assists from open play (xA) with 11.3, reinforcing the idea that they are not consistently overwhelming opponents with volume or territorial dominance. Instead, they are selective, direct and decisive.
There is, however, a defensive structure that allows that efficiency to matter.
While Villa's expected goals against (xGA) stands at 23.34, placing them around the middle of the pack, the quality of chances they concede tells a different story. Their xG on target conceded of 18.30 is the third-best in the league, highlighting how effectively they limit high-quality shots and force opponents into less threatening positions.
That balance - conceding chances but controlling their danger - has been a hallmark of Emery's best sides. Villa may allow attempts, but they rarely allow opponents to feel comfortable.
The question, inevitably, is sustainability.
Historically, teams that outperform xG by this margin tend to regress unless elite finishing or repeatable patterns are involved. Villa's efficiency has been driven by moments of individual quality, intelligent movement between the lines and rapid attacking transitions rather than sheer volume.
What strengthens their case is that the overperformance is not one-dimensional. It is supported by defensive control, game management and an ability to win tight moments - all traits associated with teams that remain competitive over long stretches of a season.
As Villa prepare for pivotal fixtures against Chelsea and Arsenal, the numbers frame the debate neatly. They are not winning because they dominate every metric - they are winning because they dominate the moments that matter.
And in a league increasingly driven by fine margins, that may prove just as valuable as statistical supremacy.
