Analysis: Premier League title talk is fairpublished at 15:26 GMT 6 December 2025
15:26 GMT 6 December 2025
Nick Mashiter Football reporter
Image source, Getty Images
The talk of Aston Villa being in the title race will only intensify now.
It was a dramatic finish - one of the most significant at Villa Park for a while - but it was Unai Emery's side who prevailed to underline they could have the staying power.
Putting them in title contention perhaps still seems fanciful, as the squad is not as deep as Arsenal's or Manchester City's and the club remain restricted by profit and sustainability rules.
But the facts are inescapable. Villa are second, before Manchester City's game with Sunderland later on Saturday, and have won nine of their past 10 league games.
The neutral would say a point would have been a fair reflection of an entertaining game in which both teams refused to settle for a draw. That is where Emery's side are and what he demands. He wouldn't have been happy with a point after Villa went ahead.
Emi Buendia's strike shows how Emery's men can power on and drive through one of their biggest challenges.
Buendia was expected to leave in the summer, after spending the second half of last season on loan at Bayer Leverkusen, and his resurgence has surprised even those at the club.
But he embodies Villa right now - an underdog who is taking his game to new heights and ready to cause an upset.
Aston Villa 2-1 Arsenal: What Emery saidpublished at 15:10 GMT 6 December 2025
15:10 GMT 6 December 2025
Media caption,
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to TNT Sports after the win: "I'm so happy. We finished this week really playing like we need to - competing, demanding things from ourselves, adapting to our opponents and playing with personality. We are dominating sometimes and getting in the box, we are being intense and aggressive when needed.
"Villa Park is special, the supporters transmit the energy to us. How they responded is fantastic.
"We are going to focus game by game, we know that is the only way if we are trying to focus on each competition. We want to play well in the Europa League, but the Premier League is our first priority."
Did you know?
Aston Villa have won nine of their past 10 Premier League games (L1), the first time they've had as many as nine wins in a 10-game spell in the top-flight since December 1919.
Aston Villa are unbeaten in all three of their Premier League home games against sides starting the day top of the table under Unai Emery (W2 D1), with both victories coming against Arsenal (also in December 2023).
Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Jurrien Timber return for Arsenal at Villa Park.
The trio were rested for the 2-0 win over Brentford on Wednesday and replace Noni Madueke and Gabriel Martinelli, who drop to the bench, while Cristhian Mosquera is out for up to six weeks with an ankle injury.
Mikel Arteta also names 16-year-old defender Marli Salmon among the substitutes.
Arsenal XI: Raya, White, Timber, Hincapie, Calafiori, Zubimendi, Rice, Odegaard, Saka, Eze, Merino
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Bournemouth v Chelsea" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Leeds v Liverpool", for instance.
Aston Villa v Arsenal: Key stats and talking pointspublished at 19:28 GMT 5 December 2025
19:28 GMT 5 December 2025
Tom McCoy BBC Sport journalist
Third-placed Aston Villa host leaders Arsenal in a meeting of the Premier League's most in-form sides. BBC Sport examines some of the key themes before Saturday's match (12:30 GMT).
Emery sets Villa record
Villa made it six wins on the spin in all competitions by beating Brighton in midweek, although it was anything but a routine victory. The visitors trailed by two goals after half an hour at the Amex Stadium before eventually edging a thrilling encounter 4-3. It is only the third Premier League away game they have won from 2-0 down and the first for 20 years.
Striker Ollie Watkins has found goals hard to come by recently but he scored twice against the Seagulls, trebling his league tally for the season. The Englishman, who has been hampered by persistent knee pain since August 2024, was linked with a January move to Arsenal, but Villa ultimately chose to offload fellow striker Jhon Duran instead.
Manager Unai Emery is another key figure with a connection to the Gunners, having spent 18 months in charge of the club before being replaced by Mikel Arteta. It may not have worked out for Emery at the Emirates but he has been a resounding success at Aston Villa, leading them to European qualification in each of the past two seasons.
Wednesday's win at Brighton, meanwhile, was his 62nd Premier League victory as Villa boss, a new club record. His win percentage of 53.9% is also comfortably the highest in the competition by a permanent Villa manager.
Arsenal reaping benefits of squad depth
While Villa's midweek win was a rollercoaster ride, Arsenal's 2-0 victory over Brentford was far more straightforward.
The Gunners were rarely troubled by the Bees, with the only on-target effort they faced being a Kevin Schade header, which was smartly saved by David Raya. The Londoners have now won 10 league games this season, eight of them accompanied by a clean sheet.
Arsenal were again without first-choice centre-backs William Saliba and Gabriel, and also lost Cristhian Mosquera to injury before half-time. Yet they were able to bring Dutch international Jurrien Timber off the bench to replace Mosquera, testament to the squad depth they now possess.
It's a similar story up front. Injuries have sidelined Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus for almost all of the season so the Gunners could be forgiven for being overly reliant on summer signing Viktor Gyokeres to lead the line.
Instead, midfielder Mikel Merino has excelled as a makeshift striker, scoring a well-taken header on Wednesday to make it eight goals in 18 starts as a number nine.
His key stats when playing at centre-forward – shot conversion rate and minutes per goal – closely match those of Gyokeres. The Swede is likely to return at Villa Park, but when he needs a rest, Merino offers yet another high-quality option.
Sutton's predictions: Aston Villa v Arsenalpublished at 18:37 GMT 5 December 2025
18:37 GMT 5 December 2025
Nobody talks about Aston Villa being in the title race, do they? That will change if they win this game.
Villa struggled at the start of the season but now they are on this unbelievable run, and this is a real test for Arsenal.
What was Gunners boss Mikel Arteta doing, leaving Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze out of Wednesday's win over Brentford? They have been the backbone of my Fantasy team this season.
Saka and Eze should be back on Saturday but Arteta has a history of being cautious in big games like this one - look at their draw at Stamford Bridge last week, for example.
A lot of people saw that as a good point and I get why but, as a former player, I know that after playing against 10 men for an hour, I would have come off the pitch feeling disappointed with a draw.
Arteta's mindset is different. This isn't a criticism, because it is working for them, but they are quite pragmatic.
I still think they will win the league, and I still believe they are the strongest team with depth in their squad to cope with the injuries they have got at the moment - but they could still end up looking back on that Chelsea game, or their defeat at Liverpool in August, and wish they had gone for it more.
I don't think they will do that at Villa Park either, and the most likely result is probably another draw, which would be Arsenal's third in a row on the road.
But I don't want to go for a draw because it is the biggest game of the weekend and, in any case, I do have a feeling Arsenal will sneak it for what would be a real statement win.
I am sure Villa will have a real go at them, but Arsenal will nullify them and find a way of getting a goal.
Emery on team news, title contention and Arsenalpublished at 16:38 GMT 5 December 2025
16:38 GMT 5 December 2025
Karan Vinod BBC Sport journalist
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Arsenal at Villa Park (kick-off 12:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On team news: "We will train this afternoon, but he [Emi Martinez] didn't train yesterday. he's feeling better, but I won't know if he is going to be available for tomorrow until the last moment."
Emery praised Amadou Onana's "huge potential" and believes the midfielder has sharpened his mentality this season, while still maintaining his trademark "aggressive" edge. He added that Onana can only "do much better" as he continues to develop.
On the tight turnaround: "The most important part of football is the players. The players must feel comfortable, feel confident to play with their form and with their focus on the gameplan we have for tomorrow, because the gameplan is very important. The preparation for tomorrow on Thursday was to rest. They will feel tired and not recovered 100% for tomorrow, but we have hours until tomorrow at 12:30 to recover and rest and to prepare the gameplan."
The Villa manager said he has not given much thought to any talk of title contention should they beat Arsenal on Saturday, insisting his focus remains on "each match". He stressed the importance of perspective, reminding his players how quickly things can shift, noting that "two months ago we were in the bottom".
Emery reiterated that there is nothing extra riding on this game despite his previous spell in charge of Arsenal and his strong record against them, downplaying any suggestion of added narrative.
On facing Arsenal: "We are really happy how we're progressing, how we are competing and getting points. We now with a huge opportunity to play Arsenal - the best team until now and the favourite to win the Premier League. Tomorrow is a huge test collectively, individually and for me as a coach as well. And to play in Villa Park is adding to our motivation, and hopefully we can watch a fantastic match and 90 minutes playing with a lot of emotion and playing well."
Emery also pointed out that Saturday represents the biggest "test" Villa have faced so far this season. While they feel more confident now than they did at the same stage last year, Emery believes the players must "improve" and work "collectively" to follow the "gameplan".
Slot said: "I haven't had contact with him a lot, I think only once or twice and that was before and after he played Feyenoord away - nothing to do with the fact he played against a former club of mine.
"I am aware of his situation, of course. I knew how difficult it already was for him over here, so I think I know how he feels at this moment - but you should ask those questions at Villa and not over here."
Elliott - player of the tournament as England Under-21s won Euro 2025 in the summer - moved to play more football, having made just two Premier League starts as Liverpool won the Premier League last season.
However, he has not played in the league since 28 September, where he was taken off at half-time against Fulham in his only start, and last featured for Villa on 2 October, playing four minutes against Feyenoord in the Europa League.
He came on as an 89th-minute substitute against Newcastle in August, meaning he cannot play for a third team this season - unless he moves to an overlapping league like the MLS, an option which is not under consideration.
'I thought I'd signed for a holiday club' - Warnock on O'Neill's managementpublished at 14:46 GMT 4 December 2025
14:46 GMT 4 December 2025
Image source, Getty Images
Former Aston Villa defender Stephen Warnock has revealed training sessions and days off were "a bit of a free-for-all" during Martin O'Neill's time at Villa Park, adding that the situation created tension between the manager and current Brighton player James Milner.
Speaking on BBC Radio Scotland's Sacked in the Morning podcast, Warnock said: "I thought I'd signed for a holiday club. It was just incredible.
"If we had a Saturday to Saturday game schedule, we would be off Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday. There would also be some weeks where he would say: ' We'll see you on Thursday and Friday, the game is on Saturday'.
"Gabby Agbonlahor - I'd never seen someone's passport with so many stamps in it. We're talking about New York, Las Vegas, Miami.
"[O'Neill] was the one asking as well. Ashley Young and Agbonlahor were his two golden boys. We would all be sat in the changing room after a win and we would tell them to ask for a few days off. They would be like: 'Off until Thursday?' and he would reply: 'Yeah, why not!'
"I had never seen anything like it. We were playing well though, so it was working at the start, but there is always a point where it's going to catch up on you."
Under O'Neill, Villa finished sixth for three straight seasons between 2008 and 2010 but were unable to get into the Champions League places.
Warnock, who arrived in 2009, potentially attributes that to a drop-off in Spring.
"It happened around March/April time because we weren't as fit as we should've been," he said. "We weren't training like we should've been. We were doing five-a-sides and we were in for 45 minutes to an hour.
"When we were in, it was a relaxed atmosphere and you were left to your own devices. If you wanted to get fit, you got fit on your own.
"I didn't like that. I liked someone telling me to do stuff. I found it a little bit difficult if I'm being completely honest. I didn't even move from the north west because we had that much time off.
"I remember us having a meeting about it once. James Milner wasn't very happy, he wanted us to be doing more work. Martin replied: 'Oh, you want to do more work? Do you not realise there's a treadmill in the gym? Get outside and do it yourself'. Let's just say, James got offended by that.
"It felt like it was a bit of a free for all, if I'm honest."
Tony: Disappointing after such a strong start. Seemed to switch off for first two Villa goals and then Villa were the better team. We are always vulnerable defensively and I have no idea why Hurzeler continues with Wieffer as a right-back. Missed Ayari, but Baleba looked more like himself. Overall though, we should take the positives of a strong first 30 minutes!
Peter: Sloppy and unprofessional after a great start. A lack of tactical awareness and poor use of substitutes by Hurzeler. The set-pieces were woeful despite the recent addition of the new set-piece coach.
Fran: Inconsistency! That's us. We were sloppy all over the pitch, our passes kept going to them, our build-up play was so slow and in front of goal we were hesitant. Even though we scored three goals, we were poor. Whenever Villa attacked, they were quick and directly went for goal. We just got to their penalty area stopped and passed it back.
Bal: A bizarre but entertaining match. Obviously really disappointing to lose the lead but I feel the tactics are looking good and I see what Hurzeler is saying about intensity coming to fruition. Fingers crossed Tzimas is OK.
Aston Villa fans
Samuel: What a rollercoaster! Awful start and deserved to be 2-0 down. You could feel Emery's rage from the touchline, it gave the players the wake-up call they needed. Fantastic to see Watkins take his goals well, he's been under such pressure and is integral to our team, so I'm delighted to see him rewarded! Up to third and bring on Arsenal!
Mike: A really impressive comeback last night and a game that should now bury the memory of the poor start to the season. The driving force of Emery from the touchline had to be seen to be believed. Could turn out to be the most significant game of the season.
Paul: I was sat in the Holte End a few weeks ago and the guy next to me said: "He's trying to play them through the bad patch and it's not working." Well, turns out it has worked and some! The character and grit in this performance against Brighton is what is now getting Villa fans excited. Dare we mention the "T word"?
Alex: I don't know how Emery does it. We haven't been great but keep winning. Now we were down by two and fought back to win. He's a genius. He just keeps getting more from the team. Give him all the mince pies and Xmas pudding in the land!
'When players look across at Emery, they are reassured'published at 08:37 GMT 4 December 2025
08:37 GMT 4 December 2025
Image source, Getty Images
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock says "little tweaks" by Unai Emery during a game "make a massive difference" after Aston Villa came from 2-0 down to defeat Brighton4-3 at Amex Stadium on Wednesday evening.
It was Villa's sixth consecutive victory in all competitions and moved them into third in the Premier League. That is despite their difficult start, where they failed to win any of their opening six games.
"Unai Emery's record has been phenomenal since he arrived at Aston Villa," Warnock told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
"You think about where they were when he took over from Steven Gerrard - I think they were bottom three or just a place out of it - and he's taken them to the Champions League, Europa League and the top four.
"That is with a lot of the same players too. He's just a brilliant manager.
"To be 2-0 down at Brighton and just knowing 'I can get my team back into this' is the difference from certain managers. When players look across to him, they are reassured because he has a plan.
"The little tweaks he makes in game make a massive difference. He is so tactically aware of what is going on and how to hurt teams.
"I've been fortunate enough to watch Villa train - the level of detail that goes into a session is meticulous."
How 'world class' Watkins got back in the goals against Brightonpublished at 08:33 GMT 4 December 2025
08:33 GMT 4 December 2025
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Match of the Day pundit Shay Given believes Ollie Watkins was rewarded for his work-rate and perseverance when he scored twice for Aston Villa in their 4-3 win over Brighton:
"He never gives up. He keeps going. He keeps running the channels. He keeps working hard for his team. Obviously, he hasn't had the goals.
"He had a couple of chances before he actually finds the back [of the net]. He's always on the shoulder. He's always trying to make that run, and of course, Morgan Rodgers will keep finding him.
"You see the smile back on Watkins' face. That'll give him a huge lift, but what he always gives is his work-rate for the team. He always keeps running the channels. He always closes down defenders.
Watch Premier League highlights and analysispublished at 08:12 GMT 4 December 2025
08:12 GMT 4 December 2025
Pundits Danny Murphy and Shay Given join host Gabby Logan to bring you the action and talking points from Tuesday and Wednesday's Premier League fixtures.
Analysis: Watkins shines for spirited Villapublished at 23:04 GMT 3 December 2025
23:04 GMT 3 December 2025
Gary Rose BBC Sport journalist
Image source, AFP via Getty Images
It was perhaps no surprise that this ended up being a highly entertaining encounter between two sides flying high at the moment.
Either side could have ended the day third in the table with a win, depending on results elsewhere.
That factor provided a big incentive to push for the three points, and it was exactly what they both did.
Since a rocky start to the season, in which they failed to win any of their first six games, Villa have been in sensational form and have won 12 and lost just two of their latest 14 matches.
Watkins has struggled to play his usually prolific part in that run, having scored just one goal all season heading into Wednesday's game, but Unai Emery's decision to stick by him paid off with his double in this game that turned the tide in Villa's favour.
Encouragingly they were both good goals too, Ollie Watkins showing a striker's natural instinct to slide in and finish for the opener and then clinically picking his spot for the second after racing away from Brighton's defence.
With another goal for Donyell Malen - his sixth in as many games in all competitions - Villa are looking strong in attack and worthy contenders to finish in the top four this season.
Brighton 3-4 Aston Villa: What Emery saidpublished at 22:25 GMT 3 December 2025
22:25 GMT 3 December 2025
Media caption,
Unai Emery spoke to BBC Match of the Day after Aston Villa's victory against Brighton: "A very tough match. How we started and reacted is more like the season. The players reacted and continued with our game plan to never give up. We kept the mentality and the resilience, really fantastic.
"Our first three matches were much worse. The first goal was not a corner, I think. We conceded and then we were expecting a lot in the
"We reacted to scoring one goal and we started the game plan and they followed it. We are so thankful for the supporters. 4000 of them with us here from Birmingham.
On Ollie Watkins: "Keep going. He needs those goals, he needs calm. He needs to keep going and get balance and he got it.
"Marco is a very, very good goalkeeper. he is always ready to play like today. Martinez was not ready to play and had some pain in his back. Marco is ready and he saved us with one good save in the 90th minute.
"The table is very important for us. We know how difficult it is. We needed to work hard and perform. We will play on Saturday against Arsenal at home. The teams behind us are going to push a lot. Be humble because we know how difficult it is to face teams in the Premier League."
Did you know?
Tonight's victory for Aston Villa was Unai Emery's 62nd in the Premier League with the Villans, the most of any manager across the club's history in the competition – overtaking John Gregory and Martin O'Neill (both 61).
Image source, Getty Images
