Early-season form
Aston Villa’s first eight league games of this season have seen them take up tenth position in the league, just a point above newly promoted teams, Hull and Ipswich.
Obviously, it’s early days, but there’s no doubt that manager Unai Emery will want to improve on just 12 points from a possible 27.
The team got just one point in their first four games, similar to last season, when they salvaged 2 from the same period.
However, in the 2025/26 campaign, after struggling to start, Villa lost just once from game-week 9 to 16.
The Villains are unbeaten in their last five league games and will hope to go on a winning streak, as they did last season.
Pre-season concerns
Villa have finished in a European spot for the past three seasons and earned Champions League football in two of those.
However, despite full confidence in the manager from most fans, there are worries from supporters around the club’s summer strategy.
This could point to why they have struggled to begin with in back-to-back league campaigns.
To comply with financial rules, the club have allowed key players to leave for other teams.
Jhon Durán, Douglas Luiz and Moussa Diaby all left Villa in recent years and this summer Ezri Konsa and star man Morgan Rogers departed for big fees.
Although players have been brought in to reinforce the team, new signings can take time to gel together.
This summer, £142 million was spent on Johan Manzambi, Nicolas Jackson and Ibrahim Mbaye to strengthen the attack.
Although this is something for Villa fans to be excited about, getting them all playing well together can take time.
This may be a potential reason for the team not hitting the ground running when the Premier League begins.
Emery’s pragmatism
The Spanish manager often has a challenge on his hands when the club emerge from the summer transfer window, but working with what he’s got is one of his biggest strengths.
Over the years, Unai Emery helped players reach new levels.
In Ollie Watkins’ first season at Villa, he scored 16 goals in all competitions; the next season it was 11.
In Emery’s first full year, Watkins racked up 40 goals and assists, both drastic improvements on his prior time at the club.
Ezri Konsa was an established Premier League defender before playing under the five-time Europa League winner.
Emery helped the England defender reach the next level, improving his versatility across the back four.
Often being utilised at right-back. He became a lot more capable of rotating into a back-three.
Having played under Emery for three full seasons, Konsa was an important part of England’s World Cup, starting in all of the games leading up to the semi-final.
Premier League champions Arsenal this summer, one of Emery’s challenges has been finding a suitable replacement signed As Konsa.
The manager has decided to trust Victor Lindelof, who has started all of their league games so far.
Upcoming fixtures
Following a draw against Fulham, Emery’s side will be hoping to get back to winning ways.
Next up is a trip to Old Trafford against a struggling Manchester United. Based on current form, Michael Carrick’s side are up there with one of the easiest to play against in the league. Villa are definitely capable of a result, although it is always a tough ground to go to.
After the international break, they face Sunderland at Villa Park. The Black Cats currently sit bottom of the table, making a win here very achievable for the home side.
From there they go to newly promoted Ipswich. Their games finished all square the last time both teams were in the league; Villa will seek to get three points from this visit.
Next, they host Everton, who sit just one point behind them in the table. The Toffees haven’t won away yet this season, and Villa will hope to keep it that way.
After that it’s Crystal Palace at home. The clashes between these two tend to be high-scoring, with 17 goals between them in their last five league meetings. The South London club sit just outside the relegation zone currently, and so Villa will want to be on the right side of the scoreline this time.
After facing PSG in the Champions League, they then travel to Coventry to face another team at the bottom end of the table. Emery’s side should feel confident they can win here.
Lastly, its Chelsea away. This is a tough fixture following a more favourable run for Villa. However, the last time they faced at Stamford Bridge was in December of last year, when the visitors took the three points.
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