Aston Villa must build form as Champions League race heats up
Aston Villa have stalled as of late.
After a sensational run leading up to Christmas, Villa have shown inconsistencies since the turn of the year, resulting in six wins out of 11 matches across all competitions in 2026.
Unai Emery’s side sit third in the Premier League, though they are beginning to look behind them rather than in front, with Manchester United and Chelsea sitting five and six points respectively.
Aston Villa were dumped out of the FA Cup by Newcastle on Saturday, but still remain one of the favourites to lift the Europa League in May, while they are looking to claim a Champions League spot through the league, rather than relying on that.
With a West Midlands derby against Wolves coming up, followed by outings against Manchester United and Chelsea, the Villans must get some momentum behind them as they welcome Leeds to Villa Park this Saturday.
Coming month could define the season for Aston Villa
Starting with Leeds on Saturday, momentum is the key target for Villa as the season’s crunch point approaches.
The trip to Molineux to face bottom-dwellers Wolves the following week surely indicates three points for Villa, right? Not exactly.
Those associated with Aston Villa will know just how awkward a fixture this is for the Villans, even during the recent years under Emery.
Since Robbie Keane’s sensational double in 2012 secured a 3-2 away win, Villa have won just once away at their fellow Midlanders, and fans of both sides will point to the fact that this came during the behind-closed-doors of 2020-21.
Aston Villa’s results at Molineux since 2011-12:
- Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 Aston Villa – 2016-17 (Championship)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 Aston Villa – 2017-18 (Championship)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Aston Villa – 2019-20 (Premier League)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers 0-1 Aston Villa – 2020-21 (Premier League)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-1 Aston Villa – 2021-22 (Premier League)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-0 Aston Villa – 2022-23 (Premier League)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Aston Villa – 2023-24 (Premier League)
- Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-0 Aston Villa – 2024-25 (Premier League)
Despite Wolves’ precarious position at the bottom of the league, Villa need to make the short trip across the Midlands, having picked up some form against Leeds – more dropped points at Molineux would leave both Manchester United and Chelsea breathing down the necks of Emery’s side, ahead of clashes against the pair either side of the March international break.
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Unai Emery will be desperate to avoid last season’s fate
As of now, Villa are in a favourable position when it comes to securing their Champions League return.
However, Emery will be desperate to avoid a similar situation to that of last year, where it was all left to play for on the final day, before his side were condemned to the Europa League following the loss to Manchester United.
The Villans sit third, with a gap to those behind, but the potential is there for this to change drastically over the upcoming month, with crucial clashes against both Manchester United and Chelsea – particularly the former as a result of their uptick in form under Michael Carrick.
There is a backup route to the Champions League, with Villa one of the favourites to win the Europa League. But as was the case for Manchester United last season, this simply cannot be relied upon.
Saturday’s bout against Leeds is a huge opportunity for Emery’s side to put their recent run of patchy form behind them and come out of the humongous upcoming period unscathed.
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