Kings or Kingmakers? Villa Approaching Decisive Stretch

Could 2026 be Aston Villa's time?

Nine consecutive victories in every match - nearing the team's historic mark of 11 established in 1897 - have propelled Unai Emery's side into the championship conversation.

This remarkable run has come after Villa failed to win any of their initial five Premier League matches and had the longest run without a goal of.

They face at home Manchester United on Sunday before visiting Chelsea and taking on leaders Arsenal to end the calendar year - three games which could define their place in the championship battle.

Villa have not lifted significant silverware since winning the League Cup in 1996 but, currently placed third in both the Premier League and Europa League, their trophy famine could be broken in remarkable fashion.

Avoiding the Spotlight

Unai Emery is not giving in to any public calls to declare Villa are in the title race.

However, the numbers paint a clear picture, as their sole league loss since August came against Liverpool in October, and since then Villa have strung together six top-flight games.

Last Sunday's 3-2 comeback win over West Ham epitomised the character of his side and the positive energy they now carry.

"We are not feeling the pressure, we are feeling ambitious and we try to be competitive in Europe and in the Premier League," Emery said. "Enjoy each match, try to prepare then rest. The players must be at ease doing it."

Emery has been cautious to avoid putting any additional spotlight on his Villa players. After all, they are earning enough attention through their excellent results.

From Slow Start to Spectacular Surge

That excellent form is in complete contrast to a beginning of the campaign in which they were without a victory after their first six matches, including a Carabao Cup loss to Brentford, and did not even score in the league until a 1-1 draw at Sunderland on 21 September.

The squad conducted a discussion to evaluate their worrying beginning and discuss how to get back on track. There was a acknowledgement there had been a hangover from falling short of the Champions League.

Villa ended the season in sixth last season and failed to reach the top five on goal difference following a debated loss by Manchester United on the final day.

From that point at the Stadium of Light they have triumphed in 15 out of 17 fixtures, including beating Manchester City 1-0 and this month's nail-biting 2-1 triumph over Arsenal.

There has also been gradual change, not upheaval under Emery, as seven first-teamers who played in the head coach's first match - a 3-1 victory against United in November 2022 - remain key now.

Learning from Past Campaigns

"The last year is an example and it's an experience for us. Sometimes we were playing excellently, we were reaching our goals, but maybe if we were aiming higher, maybe even we could go further," Emery stated.

He added, "This is the third year I am here, I am really very motivated, but [also] more demanding than when I arrived here. My objective has many aspects to enhance."

The Quest for Silverware

The last time Villa won a major trophy - beating Leeds 3-0 in the League Cup - feels like a bygone age.

It has been a long wait since, with Villa losing two FA Cup finals and two League Cup finals over the years.

Emery, a UEFA Europa League champion with Sevilla and Villarreal, stated on his arrival that the key aim was to secure silverware. Last season's FA Cup semi-final defeat remains painful.

A Europa Conference League semi-final defeat 18 months ago and a thrilling Champions League quarter-final exit last April demonstrate their progress.

"Every time we go into a big game now, we have that determination in the back of our heads to demonstrate this team we have developed over the past five or six years is deserving of more than a quarter-final, worth more than a semi-final," captain John McGinn told reporters. "The determination, I can see it this year."

The critical period begins now, with Villa poised to discover if they are ready to be champions or merely influential players in the championship battle.