Aston Villa

Some of you have been in touch using our Ask Me Anything about Aston Villa form and you're keen to know what the latest is with Tyrone Mings.

Mings is still out with a hamstring injury but could return early in the New Year.

The defender has been sidelined since the start of November after coming off against Liverpool and has not played since the Europa League defeat at Go Ahead Eagles in October.

Before that, he started Villa's opening six Premier League games but an ankle injury in September kept him out for almost a month.

In his absence Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres have become Unai Emery's first choice defensive pairing, although Victor Lindelof deputised for the injured Torres in Sunday's win at West Ham.

Mings - who has become an England international during his six years at Villa - only signed a new contract in June, which ties him to Villa until 2027 but that does not necessarily guarantee he will still be at the club until then.

He is 33 in March, certainly not too old, but Villa have relied on the core old guard for a long time and - within their financial restrictions - have been slowly refreshing the squad.

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Aston Villa winning the Premier League would not have the seismic impact of Leicester City's triumph in 2016 but it would be a stunning shake-up of the established order.

Unai Emery's side won their ninth game in succession when they came from behind to win at West Ham United, leaving them third and just three points behind leaders Arsenal.

Villa's surge of form is all the more remarkable after a poor start in which they took six attempts to win their first league game before finally securing a home victory over Fulham.

If Villa did win their first title since 1981, it would still be a huge shock given the expected three-way fight between champions Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City, but they must be part of the conversation on current form.

I tipped Villa to finish fifth this season, a prediction based on Emery's pedigree and past form. He took them into the Champions League last season, then only missed out on a place in this season's tournament after losing at Manchester United on the final day of 2024-25.

Emery has the magic trick of making good players better. Morgan Rogers, as he proved with two goals at West Ham, is one of the league's outstanding players, while he kept faith with England striker Ollie Watkins through a barren spell and back to form.

Villa still remain outsiders, but Emery has made a career out of defying the odds so it would be dangerous to dismiss him doing the same again.

Freya Sweet
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Ron Saunders' legendary quote "do you want to bet against us?" perfectly sums up the attitude and passion displayed by Unai Emery's side in the Premier League this season.

Aston Villa's comeback win at West Ham on Sunday was another example of how you should never count Villa out.

The fightback was just the second time the Villans have ended on the winning side in a Premier League game having fallen behind twice and showcased the strong spirit being built among Emery's side while they continue on their longest ever winning streak in the league.

After not winning any of their first five league games, Villa's hopes of playing European football next season felt as if they were slowly fading with each game. However, the underdog mentality historically embedded into the club is now shining through.

Villa have won 10 of their last 11 Premier League games, including the past six in a row. They are only three points behind leaders Arsenal and one point away from eight time Premier League champions Manchester City.

Many fans are left wondering whether the table would look any different if Villa had found their form sooner.

Villa's upcoming fixtures will be critical to how their title hopes play out. Their next three matches see them face Manchester United at home, and both Chelsea and Arsenal away.

Claiming all nine points would see the gap close and the race for the title become extremely competitive. But that is easier said than done - particularly because United's record against Villa is outstanding.

By the end of December, Villa could be fuelling the fire of an underdog Premier League title campaign, or their dreams could look like they are dashed after facing three of the 'big six'.

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Morgan Rogers was not merely a goal threat in Sunday's 3-2 win at West Ham, despite registering five of Villa's seven attempts.

He enjoyed more touches inside the Hammers box than any of his colleagues at London Stadium, while he also completed more than 90% of his 22 passes in the final third - the joint-highest ratio among Villa players.

"He is such an intelligent player," Former Premier League winger Theo Walcott told Match of the Day. "He's the kind of player that recognises a weakness in the structure of the team."

Reflecting on Rogers' delightful second goal, the former Arsenal player continued: "You think of [Cristiano] Ronaldo and how, if you give them time and space on the ball when they shoot from distance, they are able to manipulate the ball the way they want to. Well, Rogers is able to do that.

"Of course, he got that space he was looking for against West Ham. If you give time and space to any player like that, you are in trouble, especially him because of the way he hits the ball."

Unsurprisingly, Rogers said after the game he was "pretty confident right now". He got eight league goals last season and has five already this campaign.

"I'm scoring quite a few lately," he said. "If I score and we win, then I'm happy. I want to score as much as possible and help the team.

"At the moment, we're in a great run, so let's see where that takes us."

Read the full piece here

Image source, Getty Images

Former Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker says Unai Emery's side have to be considered as being in the title race now they are showing their grit and determination to keep winning.

Villa are two points off leaders Arsenal and a point behind second-place Manchester City, with a five-point cushion on Chelsea in fourth.

"When you watch how Unai Emery has coached this team and with the players they have available, they can beat anyone in the Premier League on any day," said Reo-Coker on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.

"That is the beauty of what they are. But can they continue to be consistent? Well, the fact they went a goal down against West Ham twice and came back makes a statement.

"They are doing well in Europe as well, but Emery keeps saying it is one game at a time and I think that is the right message for the players in the dressing room.

"Deep down, though, I bet he is loving every single minute of this because he has built something that is really amazing and is competing in the Premier League title race.

"I don't think it was an ambition of theirs for this season but they have shown how they can perform in every aspect so far.

"They also now have a pretty healthy and fit squad, so I do think they should be trying to win the Europa League as well.

"Emery has done so much for Villa so it would be great for everyone to say he has taken them to another level with a trophy."

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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between West Ham and Aston Villa.

Here are some of your comments:

West Ham fans

John: Some positives, seeing far greater energy and we pressed well. However, we can't defend and we don't have answers in the final third. We need to bring in a central defender and an out-and-out striker next month.

Geoff: Our performances are improving under Nuno game by game. He's moving us forward. We will move up the table.

Grant: Same old story. Poor defending has cost us again. You can't give Morgan Rogers that much space and time on the edge of the box. Unless we sort our defence out, we are going to be relegated.

Dan: Relegation beckons unless we can get some points when we deserve to. Avoidable goals and late substitutions contributed to our downfall today. Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville caused loads of problems but with no genuine striker, it's always going to be tricky. Keep the faith!

Aston Villa fans

Theo: Not at our best but individual performances such as Rogers in particular helped us get through in the end. Great to continue the good run which is entirely down to squad depth. When things are not going well there is a quality player to come on and switch it up. Very happy.

Edward: Class from Villa. More points from a losing position that shows the character of this team. Watch out Arsenal, we are coming.

Steve: Villa's confidence is growing game on game. Top three finish looking extremely possible but Manchester United are always a bogey team for Villa. It will be a real test.

Ian: Well another three points without playing at our best - is that the sign of a good team? What we showed yet again is great character and resilience, and our ability to keep going. We are a threat anywhere near the opponents' goal. Rogers just keeps getting better and the team never gives up. My only criticism is of Ezri Konsa. Great defender but does get sloppy and too casual on the ball at times, which gave them their first goal. Let's keep the momentum going as confidence is building game on game.

Former England forward Theo Walcott believes Morgan Rogers "set the tone" for Aston Villa in their 3-2 comeback win over West Ham.

Rodgers scored twice in the second half to make it eight goal contributions in 16 Premier League appearances this season.

"His influence in this Aston Villa team is really standing out - you can see the confidence in his game," Walcott said on Match of the Day.

"What I really like is his intent from minute one. He sets the tone in how he is going to perform."

Pundits Joe Hart and Theo Walcott and Joe Hart join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Sunderland 1-0 Newcastle

• Crystal Palace 0-3 Manchester City

• Brentford 1-1 Leeds

Aston Villa, Tottenham and West Ham are all showing interest in Brentford's 24-year-old Brazilian striker Igor Thiago. (Caught Offside), external

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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery speaking to Sky Sports after their 3-2 victory against West Ham: "The players are organised and disciplined in our structure tactically. They must show their quality in our game plan and today they showed it."

On the title race: "We are not feeling under pressure. we are feeling ambitious and we try to challenge in Europe and in the Premier League. Enjoy each match, try to prepare, then rest. The players must feel comfortable doing it. This is the process we are doing. Now it is Manchester United [next Sunday]."

You can listen to more from Emery here

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

In-form Aston Villa had won 14 of their past 16 games in all competitions before Sunday's trip to the capital, but Unai Emery's side lacked inspiration in a jaded first-half performance at London Stadium.

Despite quickly cancelling out Mateus Fernandes' 29-second opener and enjoying the lion's share of possession, the visitors failed to register an attempt at goal until the 45th minute, when Morgan Rogers sent a curling shot narrowly over the angle between post and bar.

However, when the ball fell to Rogers again five minutes after the restart, the 23-year-old's aim was true as he steered a calm finish into the bottom corner to make it 2-2 and swing the pendulum back in Villa's direction.

The rest of the second half was a more open, end-to-end affair as both teams went in search of a third goal, and Villa were fortunate not to fall behind again when Bowen's neat finish was ruled out for offside.

It was going to take something special for the visitors to extend their remarkable winning run to nine matches - and Rogers provided it with an outstanding finish which lifts him to five league goals this season, more than any of his team-mates.

Emery's side face Manchester United, Chelsea and leaders Arsenal before the end of 2025, but they head into that tricky run of fixtures brimming with confidence.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on West Ham's performance

What did you make of Aston Villa's display?

Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies

Nuno Espirito Santo makes two changes to the West Ham team that drew at Brighton last weekend.

Soungoutou Magassa and Freddie Potts come in, replacing Max Kilman and Guido Rodriguez.

West Ham XI: Areola, Mavropanos, Magassa, Todibo, Wan-Bissaka, Fernandes, Potts, Diouf, Paqueta, Bowen, Summervilla

Subs: Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Kilman, Julio, Wilson, Rodriguez, Soucek, Scarles, Kante

Unai Emery makes six changes to the Aston Villa side that started the UEFA Europa League victory at Basel on Thursday.

Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, Boubacar Kamara and Ian Maatsen are all restored, with Lucas Digne, Lamare Bogarde, Evann Guessand, Emiliano Buendia, Jadon Sancho and Donyell Malen dropping to the bench.

Watkins makes his 200th Premier League appearance at London Stadium.

Aston Villa XI: Bizot, Cash, Konsa, Lindelof, Maatsen, Kamara, Onana, McGinn, Tielemans, Rogers, Watkins

Subs: Wright, Buendia, Digne, Garcia, Malen, Sancho, Bogarde, Guessand, Lawrence Hemmings

There are five games in the Premier League on Sunday and BBC Sport will be bringing you every moment.

• Crystal Palace v Manchester City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

• Nottingham Forest v Tottenham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2

• Sunderland v Newcastle United - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• West Ham United v Aston Villa - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3

• Brentford v Leeds United (16:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 14:00 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 Crystal Palace v Man City" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Sunderland v Newcastle", for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds

I have backed against my old team Aston Villa in the past couple of weeks but they proved me wrong by beating Brighton and then doing the same to Arsenal.

Unai Emery's side just keep on going and keep on winning too, and they always seem to find a way to get over the line. They have won seven games in a row now in all competitions, and I think they are amazing.

I am not going to back against them this time, that's for sure. They have got a brush with Basel on Thursday but playing in the Europa League has not affected them too much recently.

West Ham have turned a corner under Nuno Espirito Santo, but so has Villa striker Ollie Watkins.

Watkins is starting to look more like his old self, and he could make the difference here to continue Villa's winning run.

Jarrod Bowen will ensure they don't have an easy game, but Villa have got enough goals right through their team to take the points even if Watkins doesn't score on Sunday.

I was absolutely delighted to see Emi Buendia get the winner against Arsenal. He has had a lot of injuries to contend with at Villa but I saw a lot of him at Norwich and he is a terrific player.

Sutton's prediction: 1-2

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Noel Sliney
BBC Sport senior journalist

Relegation-threatened West Ham seek a first win over third-placed Aston Villa in six attempts on Sunday. BBC Sport provides some of the talking points going into the fixture.

Defensive frailty costing West Ham

West Ham are averaging a point per game under head coach Nuno Espirito Santo and were denied a first win in four attempts by a controversial stoppage-time Brighton equaliser last weekend.

Nuno bemoaned the fact that Georginio Rutter's goal wasn't ruled out for either a high boot or handball during the build-up but it means West Ham have conceded in all 10 matches under the Portuguese. In fact, he has gone 21 Premier League matches without a clean sheet, including 11 with Nottingham Forest.

West Ham showed encouraging attacking signs against Brighton but their defensive vulnerability is stark, with only Burnley allowing their opponents more shots this season.

The Hammers have particularly struggled in the closing stages of matches. They have now conceded five goals in the 90th minute, including stoppage time – a tally only exceeded by Leeds and Newcastle with six apiece – and faced the most shots and shots on target during that period of games.

Villa's form should be no surprise

A last-second winner against league leaders Arsenal has, inevitably, catapulted Aston Villa into the title conversation. Manager Unai Emery and his players have been reticent to entertain such talk, perhaps mindful of being in a similar situation two years ago when they were one point off the top at Christmas but eventually finished 23 points adrift, albeit in a superb fourth place.

Nonetheless, though Villa have earned nine top-flight wins in a 10-game spell for the first time in 106 years, their good form is no anomaly.

They have the fourth-highest points tally in the Premier League since Emery took over in November 2022, and the third highest this calendar year with 67 points – four behind Manchester City and Arsenal.

They are not just relying on their imperious home form either. No team has as many Premier League away wins, or has earned more points on the road, than Aston Villa since the start of March.

Villa also sit third in the Europa League table following Thursday's victory away to Basel. That was their eighth win in a row as a top-flight side in all competitions, a feat they previously achieved 111 years ago.

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against West Ham at London Stadium (kick-off 14:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Goalkeeper Emi Martinez and centre-back Pau Torres will need to be assessed after missing out on the midweek Europa League fixture against Basel. There is another training session before the squad travel down to London, so "both those that played and those who are injured" will be assessed.

• He added: "I'm so happy with how we are performing and responding collectively, despite some of our players being out injured."

• Aston Villa will not be sucked into title race talks after picking up 14 wins from their past 16 games, instead they will continue focusing themselves "on each competition and on each game".

• He explained: "We don't feel under pressure. There are 38 matches in a season so lots of points to play for still and a long way to go in terms of being consistent. We have reached December still feeling good, but each match is a test from here on."

• Aston Villa will be aiming to "keep the consistency going" after being handed a boost of "confidence" in their 2-1 away win to Basel this week.

• When asked if he feels he has proven people wrong after receiving plenty of criticism, he replied: "First I must say we are in good form currently. Secondly, I must say we were so poor at the start of the season. We just have to enjoy each moment, compete in each moment, and try to get the best out of it."

• He praised in-form Youri Tielemans for "being such a good professional and a very mature person", adding: "His courage has always been consistent. He didn't come here and immediately reach the levels he did at Leicester City, but his qualities are very important for us. He has shown versatility, playing as a six, an eight or a 10, so he will get his chances either way."

• West Ham are "performing fantastically" at the minute so he is expecting a "huge test" at London Stadium.

• Emery praised Nuno Espirito Santo for being "a very good coach" whose teams have "always been so difficult to play against". He added: "His teams compete and fight like he does as a coach, and they are already playing much better than before he arrived."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to commentary of West Ham v Aston Villa at 14:00 on Sunday on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 3 and BBC Sounds

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We asked for your views on Aston Villa's Europa League match against Basel on Thursday.

Here are some of your comments:

Phil: A win at Basel is an excellent result as they are Swiss champions. However, we also showed that we can play and win at a top European side even with eight changes. We should win this Europa League easily but we must maintain our desire and concentration throughout. Under Unai Emery, I believe we can.

Rob: Controlled the game for large portions without finishing off the home side. Did enough to win but rested many of Saturday's side, which has to bode well for Sunday. Jadon Sancho and Evann Guessand remain our only two below-par players but Emery is no fool and by the end of January he will have the players he wants. Good win. Great run. Long may it continue!

Richard: Not one of Villa's best performances, but a win is three more points. Strong in Europe and strong domestically, Emery has transformed Aston Villa and Youri Tielemans' winner was very well worked. It would be fantastic to win a trophy this season as a reward for everyone's hard work.

Ian: Another European night where we did enough for the three points and managed the game well. With eight changes, it shows we now have strength in depth. I would have liked the Villa to have put the game to bed earlier to prevent the few scares we had in the last 10 minutes. I think we will be fine for the top eight but we really should go for the top two, which will give us a massive advantage going forward. The Fenerbahce game will be crucial and will not be easy but a confident in-form Villa are more than capable of getting the right result.

Prit: Relieved with the win but it should have been more comfortable. Basel were winning the midfield but we had more control when Tielemans came on at half-time. Let's hope we can keep it going for the past two matches and into the knockout stages.

Dara: Was always going to be a challenge to get up to speed again after the emotion of the Arsenal game, but they did well. Guessand remains very questionable unfortunately, despite his goal.

John: Guessand needs to go as soon as possible despite his 'stab-in-the-dark' goal on Thursday. Score him two out of 10 - one for the goal and one for being on the pitch!

Aston Villa have informed Liverpool they are looking to send back England Under-21s midfielder Harvey Elliot in January - the 22-year-old has been on loan at Villa Park since the summer. (Teamtalk), external

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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery speaking to TNT Sports: "I am happy and we knew before the match the difficulties we were facing today. After the last matches, a lot of wars. Brilliant wars for us, after our victory against Arsenal, it is not easy to recover our spirit and structure and mentality to keep the same hard work.

"We struggled today and the last 10 minutes they were close to drawing but I am happy with how we got this victory. It is difficult to beat them here.

"Our idea at the start of the season was to manage all the players and give them the chance to play and help us. How we are managing it like today, I like how they are responding and how we are building the team with every player.

"It was the plan, to start with Lamar [Bogarde] because they needed fresh legs. Youri [Tielemans] can get into the opponent's box and score like he did. Other players as well, made an impact. We needed that. We needed them to win duels. In the last 10 minutes, they were pushing, and we need our players fighting like they did."

Midfielder Youri Tielemans speaking to TNT Sports: "Very pleased. It is a tough place to play. The pitch wasn't the best, and you could see that in our game. I think we could have done better in certain phases of the game, but to come home with a win is really good."

On Guessand's goal: "Very pleased for him and some of the other players who can get goals, it is massive for us."

On his goal: "Just tried to hit it on target. The space was there for me to shoot it at the first post. The first goal they conceded as well was on that side, and it is everything together."

On Villa finding ways to win: "Teams are dropping deeper, and to have that space at the edge of the box, I quite like that. We have to carry on and hopefully score more goals from outside and inside the box.

"Where we are now is very good. We have two more games. Two tough games. We just want to win both games and see where we are at. The first two spots would be amazing, but then if not, in the top group and hopefully qualify."

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Reuters

Aston Villa's 2-1 win away to Basel in the Europa League - their eighth straight victory - was hugely satisfying for boss Unai Emery, and not just because it maintained his side's remarkable run of form.

Not only did it come in the stadium where the Spaniard won his third Europa League trophy with Sevilla in 2016, Villa's latest win also demonstrated the strength in depth at Emery's disposal.

He made eight changes in total, with Ezri Konsa, Matty Cash and Amadou Onana the only starters from the statement win over Arsenal last weekend.

With a match at West Ham on Sunday, Emiliano Martinez was given the night off while the likes of Ollie Watkins, John McGinn and Morgan Rogers made cameo appearances from the bench.

On a night of positives in Switzerland, Youri Tielemans - another substitute - scored the winner.

Villa survived one or two nervy moments but were worthy winners in the end and are guaranteed at least a play-off spot. Another win, however, should be enough to secure an automatic place in the knockout stages.

Emery's side have now won 14 of their last 16 games in all competitions, remarkable considering they did not win any of their first six league and cup games at the beginning of the season.

Having failed to score in any of their first four matches, Villa are one of the best performing teams in Europe's top five leagues.