A Century-Long Wait Ends: Unai Emery’s Aston Villa Make History After Man United Win

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery overjoyed as he celebrates Morgan Rogers’ winner (X)

TheUnitedStrand might be bald twice over by now had he backed the Villains instead of the Red Devils.

Aston Villa’s 2-1 takedown of Manchester United wasn’t just another win — it was history in claret and blue. The victory marked Villa’s 10th straight win in all competitions, including seven on the bounce in the Premier League, as Unai Emery’s side continues to laugh in the face of expectations.

Villa Park has become an outright nightmare for visiting teams. Emery has turned it into a fortress, with just one home league defeat in 2025 — fewer than any other club.

What’s unfolding under the Spaniard feels less like a purple patch and more like a footballing fairytale. And to think it all started in chaos.

Villa opened the season with their worst league start in 28 years — two points, one goal, and zero wins from five games. Fast forward a few months and Emery’s revitalised Villains have won 14 of their next 15 matches, with their last dropped points coming back in October — a 2-0 loss away to Liverpool.

The milestones keep tumbling. This is Villa’s first run of seven consecutive top-flight wins since 1989–90. More staggeringly, it’s their first run of 10 straight wins in all competitions in 111 years, not seen since March 1914.

Once in a century? Quite literally.

Villa now sit third in the Premier League, just three points behind leaders Arsenal and one off Manchester City, daring to dream of a first English title since 1981.

Yet Emery, ever the realist, refuses to buy into the hype.

“We are not contender,” he insisted. “Of course we beat Arsenal and Manchester City here, but they have massive things tactically with players on a high level.

We have as well, but to be a contender in front of them is not our reality.”

After Christmas, the Villains head south for two season-defining trips: Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on December 27, followed by a blockbuster showdown with Arsenal at the Emirates three days later.

(with agency inputs)