Five Reasons to be Cheerful as Villa Fans at Christmas
‘Tis the season to be jolly, and my goodness, Villa fans can attest to that in 2025. Sitting pretty in the league and in Europe, let’s delve into the five reasons to be cheerful heading into 2026.
Stop The Cavalry
Not only did Unai Emery’s side record a tenth consecutive win, but they did it against the mother of all Villa’s bogey teams, while forcing off the league’s most disliked footballer at half-time. This win is another example of the change in mentality at Villa Park in recent weeks, demonstrating the resilience that has been missing in previous years and has ultimately been the undoing of the team. Wins at Brighton, West Ham, and now against Villa’s perennial heartbreakers, Manchester United, are a sign that the players are ready to reach a new level this season.
Unai’s Boy Child
The form of Morgan Rogers is increasingly nothing short of unbelievable. He has managed six goals in his last six league starts, but these haven’t been any ordinary goals. Rogers is now running his very own goal of the month competition, and hopefully there are still a few more contenders to come in December.
Blue Christmas
Over the decades, Villa fans have watched classic fast-paced ties between the leagues’ juggernauts. Classic eras of Arsenal vs Manchester United, Chelsea vs Manchester United, and then Manchester City vs Liverpool fixtures made it feel like the teams below were light years behind the elites. Not anymore, though. Following the performance against Arsenal, it was Villa’s turn to play at the frenetic pace and demonstrate genuine skill and composure on the ball.
It’s not a time to be complacent by any means, but Villa will head to Stamford Bridge with the chance to extend their lead on the fourth-placed side to ten points. Emery’s side certainly play more engaging and cohesive football against sides that open up and attack them, so it is possible that the comprehensive performances that fans witnessed against the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City will be replicated at Chelsea. While this doesn’t guarantee the points, it promises to be another action-packed match of battling at the very top for Villa fans to enjoy.
Check out our Christmas EP
Walking in the Air
Sitting third in the league and third in the Europa League at Christmas after a fairly shambolic summer transfer window is a testament to the remarkable man at the helm and his back-room staff. With the ghost of Monchi behind us, there is the hope that Roberto Olabe has some masterminded potential targets to help the momentum continue into 2026. A striker to compete with Ollie Watkins and allow Donyell Malen to take up his preferred second striker role is paramount, as Villa’s spearhead has struggled for goals and form for a prolonged period now. If the side can remain relatively injury-free and add some quality in January akin to the signings of Morgan Rogers, Jhon Duran, and Alex Moreno, then the sky is the limit for 2026.
Last Christmas
For fans, the Christmas period is often dictated by the fortunes of their beloved Aston Villa. In recent Christmases, Villa have seen painful defeats that have taken the wind out of their sails. Two years ago, the refereeing performance in the trip to Sheffield United completely halted Villa’s form after impressive wins against Manchester City and Arsenal. Last year, the defeats to Nottingham Forest and Newcastle dampened the mood, with the officiating once again taking centre stage. 2025 will at least allow Villa fans to enjoy Christmas Day to the max and who knows, maybe come January fans will start believing that a title challenge is becoming a little bit more of a reality…at the very least, Villa could soon have a Champions League spot on lock down.
Merry Christmas and as always, UTV!
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