⚽ Premier League 2025/2026 Discussion Thread ⚽

[Felicity_Tide]

~snip

I still believe there was a lot of luck involved in this incredible winning run,

All thanks to the fact that they're having a injury free season_{(at least to most of their key players)}, but massive credits to Emery for a massive job done. Defeating Chelsea home and away is already a big statement so far, and a part of me has start to doubt if Arsenal can get all 3 points against them in their next game at the Emirates. Anyone who has watched Arsenal in the last 3-4 games should know what I'm talking about.

With this win today, I think their odd for the Arsenal game is definitely going to get better. If they can get a point against the Gunners on Tuesday, then the top 4 position might just be a sure thing for them this season. And maybe getting their hands on a trophy at the end of the day because they seem to be playing like a team that wants to win one.

[marcous]

Aston Villa won the match against the first half result and the expectations of everyone. I did not believe they would would be able to turn this match around because Chelsea is not a small team. I'm truly surprised at how strong and courageous Aston Villa have become. Their match against Arsenal will make clear if they are aiming for the title this season or just trying to remain at the champions league spot which is already a big achievement for them considering the level they are as a team in the premier league.

And what's remarkable is that Aston Villa won this match away from home. I don't know why Chelsea performed like this, and I'm quite disappointed. But I admire Aston Villa performance; they're performing even better than last season. I think they have a chance to compete for the title if they can maintain this momentum. Let's wait and see, because the real battle will come closer to the end of the season.

[Amphenomenon]

I still believe there was a lot of luck involved in this incredible winning run, including today's game against Chelsea, where I think a split of points would be a fairer result, but, nevertheless, Emery and his squad deserve all the credit.

The game wasn't necessarily about luck Aston Villa was more dangerous after making changes and then nothing seems to be working for us, we lack the cutting edge in the attack and our defense was so terrible even our CB's which were poor, their counter was more deadly and then they got the win. We didn't make use of our chances to seal the game and when things turn around we couldn't do anything to save ourselves. Also, our changes was disappointing removing Palmer and Cucurella  especially was a bad idea to be honest.

[Taricoins]

I still believe there was a lot of luck involved in this incredible winning run, including today's game against Chelsea, where I think a split of points would be a fairer result, but, nevertheless, Emery and his squad deserve all the credit.

The game wasn't necessarily about luck Aston Villa was more dangerous after making changes and then nothing seems to be working for us, we lack the cutting edge in the attack and our defense was so terrible even our CB's which were poor, their counter was more deadly and then they got the win. We didn't make use of our chances to seal the game and when things turn around we couldn't do anything to save ourselves. Also, our changes was disappointing removing Palmer and Cucurella  especially was a bad idea to be honest.

You are right, there is was no luck attachment in this Aston Villa's win against Chelsea and some mistake from the Chelsea's defence caused both goals by Ollie Walkins, like the first goal where Chalobah didn't observe to cover the space Ollie was running to and he ended up taking advantage of that space.
And the second goal still, space created by Gusto that Ollie took advantage off once again.

[Oluwa-btc]

Aston Villa are playing a very difficult match with Chelsea but they have been making big mistakes that will affect their next game against Arsenal at the Emirates.
Although I strongly believe they are amongst the best team in England right now. Going down against Chelsea and turning the game around is a difficult task to achieve and they have done just that.

Not to forget, Aston Villa defeated the favorites to win the Premier League Competition already this season ( Arsenal ), they have also defeated Manchester United. I was expecting this win anyways, the best result Chelsea would've gotten out of this game will be nothing but full-time draw outcome. This is eleven games already they have won in a row and the villa fans are super proud of them. Next up will be against Arsenal at home, I'm already envisaging a draw outcome for the game.

[Uhde]

I still believe there was a lot of luck involved in this incredible winning run, including today's game against Chelsea, where I think a split of points would be a fairer result, but, nevertheless, Emery and his squad deserve all the credit.

Unai Emery is one of the most underrated manager in football history. He is a brilliant coach who manages smaller teams perfectly and turns them into upper mid table powerhouses. After Sevilla and Villarreal, he is doing really amazing at Aston Villa as well. It’s quite interesting that a manager of his caliber failed at clubs like Arsenal and PSG.

[justinlamode]

I still believe there was a lot of luck involved in this incredible winning run, including today's game against Chelsea, where I think a split of points would be a fairer result, but, nevertheless, Emery and his squad deserve all the credit.

There is a limit luck can push a team in football, what we are seeing in Aston Villa is definitely not all about luck but a team that is organized and playing to achieve a target. There is no way to convince a layman that luck made a team achieve eleven straight wins in all competitions. Aston Villa is solid and very much a candidate for the trophy this season. Even as it is a little too early to begin to put hope in them, we can admit that their level of consistency is typical of a team that wants to win the league.

[Iroh]

Congratulations to Manchester United on their winning yesterday against Newcastle United to me it was not a surprise but to many it was  quite a surprise, I was like telling people that Manchester United had a record that has been for decades now the record of not losing a home game on boxing day that record actually gives me enough confidence of betting on Manchester United straight winning and indeed it continues, like on a normal days I don't think Manchester United can play Newcastle United with such squad yesterday, but everything just happened like a magic to those that was actually having a hard time to believe Manchester United could won the game.

Manchester United had a good game against Newcastle as they manged to claim the win against Newcastle. I was optimistic about United's win and thankfully, they didn't disappoint. Newcastle did try but were unsuccessful despite having more time with the ball. Man united managed to put forward a good defense that helped the goalie keep a clean sheet. It was a good game overall and I had hoped Man united would have scored more goals in the second half to secure their lead as I feared Newcastle would equalize.
It's also great they did manage to keep the record of not losing out on a home game on boxing day. Great game and a well deserved 3 points.

[Jossque]

Manchester City managed to return from Nottingham with three points. I don't think it was a difficult match for City. City won this match, raising their points to 40 and still trailing their rivals Arsenal. For Nottingham, the alarm bells are not ringing yet, but they also need to start winning matches.
West Ham lost 1-0 at home to Fulham. West Ham are among the teams failing to meet expectations this season and are in the relegation zone. Fulham, on the other hand, are either winning or losing. They are among the teams with the fewest draws in the league. They put in a good performance in this away match and managed to secure the three points.

[AYOBA]

It was quite a surprising end, seeing that Aston Villa were able to not just equalise but also end up winning the game. And it was quite a good start from Chelsea in terms of possession and aggression, to win the match, but they did not keep that pressure through out the match, and it's was not a good one, even their only goal was set piece, to clearly show you that their performance after the first few minutes was not impressive.

Meanwhile it was a good one from Aston Villa, not being afraid but pushing to win Chelsea, and that they did achieve.

Honestly the maths was very surprising to me because if they told me that Aston Villa will be able to equalize back and also make ending up of winning them match I will never, but with their much efforts they make it possible that’s why they said the football is unpredictable.

Imagine that Chelsea who was leading the match right from the first goal in the first half; but Aston Villa were able to come back to second half strong and equalize after they retuned to the second half: and again they still add second goal to double their lead when the match was about to finish, but what i think there is that the last substituted that Enzo Maresca made is what affecting Chelsea.

[Stavri]

I still believe there was a lot of luck involved in this incredible winning run, including today's game against Chelsea, where I think a split of points would be a fairer result, but, nevertheless, Emery and his squad deserve all the credit.

There is a limit luck can push a team in football, what we are seeing in Aston Villa is definitely not all about luck but a team that is organized and playing to achieve a target. There is no way to convince a layman that luck made a team achieve eleven straight wins in all competitions. Aston Villa is solid and very much a candidate for the trophy this season. Even as it is a little too early to begin to put hope in them, we can admit that their level of consistency is typical of a team that wants to win the league.

Not luck man. It is about Emery. He is on another level... He totally flipped the script and the tactics after halftime. And won the game. This team was supposed to be at the bottom but now he’s got them hunting for the trophy. He rattled United, then Chelsea, and Arsenal is next. If Aston Villa had a little bit deeper bench, they’d be leading the league right now.

[Mabebe]

And what's remarkable is that Aston Villa won this match away from home. I don't know why Chelsea performed like this, and I'm quite disappointed. But I admire Aston Villa performance; they're performing even better than last season. I think they have a chance to compete for the title if they can maintain this momentum. Let's wait and see, because the real battle will come closer to the end of the season.

Very disappointing from Chelsea, they failed to use their home advantage and to wonder that they even scored first and won the first half only not to maintain the win. Aston Villa is noe the real deal in the league, 11 straight wins for them and try don't look like the team that's going to be slowing down.

[snipie]

Not luck man. It is about Emery. He is on another level... He totally flipped the script and the tactics after halftime. And won the game. This team was supposed to be at the bottom but now he’s got them hunting for the trophy. He rattled United, then Chelsea, and Arsenal is next. If Aston Villa had a little bit deeper bench, they’d be leading the league right now.

Aston Villa lacks investments actually to be at top of Premier League. The team has a good coach and good players, yet needs more to dominate the league.
Chelsea was very disappointing, cannot catch what Emery was doing behind the scene and failed badly in the second half. They got only 5 points out of 15 in the last five rounds and they will allow other teams to bypass them if they continue like that.. Aston Villa in the other hand is third and only three points behind gunners.

[redhack]

I think it would’ve been better for him to keep quiet and stop talking on the sidelines and keep talking on the pitch, the season is a long way to go so he should better be playing well, else when he keeps talking people will act like they’ve not heard anything from him until he looses the Premier League and end up not winning anything again, the Champions League is a tough situation for them, if they want to focus on winning the Champions League and Premier League, it will be very difficult for them, because I have looked at the Arsenal team and there is weakness in the team, and Arsenal have been win games by one goal margin, and if care isn’t taking they will be dropping points very soon before they will know it, Manchester City must have taken the 1st position.

Anyways I feel very bad for Arsenal because they are lacking that prolific finisher like Haaland and that could actually cause them the Premier League Title.

I disagree. All players can give interviews and saying they are aiming for all the trophies shows their desire to win. After all, if you don't have the goal of winning a trophy, why are you playing the matches? Saliba is already showing what he can do with his play on the field, trying his best. And he is undoubtedly one of the best players in the league. All the team's fans agree on that.

While not as good as Haaland, there's Gyökeres and the recently returned Jesus. Plus, Saka, Martinelli and Trossard are scoring enough goals. I think they'll be fine.

[Smartvirus]

Not luck man. It is about Emery. He is on another level... He totally flipped the script and the tactics after halftime. And won the game. This team was supposed to be at the bottom but now he’s got them hunting for the trophy. He rattled United, then Chelsea, and Arsenal is next. If Aston Villa had a little bit deeper bench, they’d be leading the league right now.

Anyone who thinks Aston Villa’s victory over Chelsea was one born out of luck didn’t watch the game the way I did.

Emery did flip the script and he did that with just 3 substitutes, Watkins, Sancho and Onana. These 3 made such contributions to that win. Sancho made sure the wings were working, Onana intercepted and blocked shots from getting to Martinez and Watkins scored 2 stunning goals. Though his first was Sanchez’s mistake, his second was careful placed in the goal.

Aston Villa deserved this win and with that, a record maintained.

[Slow death]

With each passing round it becomes clearer that Chelsea is unfortunately far from fighting for the title despite the large investment they have made in signings.



I wonder what the point is of a team making many signings and not fighting for the title, and being overtaken by Aston Villa who didn't make the same high level of signings. It seems like the problem isn't money in Chelsea's case, but somewhere else. I don't know what the management's objectives are with the coach, but I highly doubt Chelsea fans are celebrating Chelsea's current performance, and I hope things don't get worse, because there's a greater chance of things getting worse than better.

[Zaguru12]

I disagree. All players can give interviews and saying they are aiming for all the trophies shows their desire to win. After all, if you don't have the goal of winning a trophy, why are you playing the matches? Saliba is already showing what he can do with his play on the field, trying his best. And he is undoubtedly one of the best players in the league. All the team's fans agree on that.

While not as good as Haaland, there's Gyökeres and the recently returned Jesus. Plus, Saka, Martinelli and Trossard are scoring enough goals. I think they'll be fine.

I don’t honestly understand what people actually think players need to say, can someone either player or manager of a club like Arsenal come out and say they are not after winning trophies, wouldn’t that be somehow or demeaning the club itself, except it is not possible or at the end it didn’t get achieved I think Arsenal and Arteta ambition is simply to be crown champions of every available tournament they are currently participating in. And there is absolutely nothing wrong in saying this in an interview.

Aston Villa lacks investments actually to be at top of Premier League. The team has a good coach and good players, yet needs more to dominate the league.
Chelsea was very disappointing, cannot catch what Emery was doing behind the scene and failed badly in the second half. They got only 5 points out of 15 in the last five rounds and they will allow other teams to bypass them if they continue like that.. Aston Villa in the other hand is third and only three points behind gunners.

No they don’t actually lack that investment probably to buy players, last summer transfer window I could recall they were actually furious they cannot spend more because there is limitations placed on clubs as to how much they can spend at a particular window, with the likes of Manchester United having more than even Aston Villa who have finished higher up than them. I recall this Villa and Newcastle who both have owners that could compete simply speaking up for not been granted that Fair ground, so it is this rule that is keeping them checked if not they will also be competing

[Balmain]

It was a night where all four top teams in the Premier League won, there were no losers. Arsenal maintain their lead, followed by Manchester City, whose winning streak continues. Arsenal beat Brighton 2-1. I watched Raya's save with admiration; most goalkeepers wouldn't have such a reflex. It was perhaps a championship winning save. If it had been a goal, Arsenal would have lost their lead.

[SatoPrincess]

There are a few shockers in the results today. I missed Chelsea vs Aston Villa match, anyone care to explain how Chelsea managed to lose this match after leading in the first half. It’s either Unai Emery genius needs to be studied or Chelsea was very bad in the game.

[Issa56]

And what's remarkable is that Aston Villa won this match away from home. I don't know why Chelsea performed like this, and I'm quite disappointed.

Chelsea has just successfully disappointed their fans, with the way Chelsea started the match, I was just so happy with their performance, and I was thinking they going to win the match. In the first half of the match Aston villa didn’t play anything special, Chelsea completed dominated the match, Aston villa didn’t have even a shot in the first half of the match, I was also surprised when I saw Aston villa playing poorly in the first half of the match but things changed in the second half, and at the end they were able to get 3 points in the match. It’s really a good one for them, at least they are able to continue with their winning streak.