The Athletic FC Podcast — "Why Villa can (and can't) challenge for the title"

Date: December 9, 2025
Host: Ayo Akinwolere
Guests: Jacob Tanszwa (Aston Villa correspondent), Liam Tharm (tactics analyst)

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into Aston Villa’s dramatic rise from an uninspiring start to the season to being within striking distance of Premier League leaders Arsenal. The panel discusses whether Villa’s impressive run marks them as genuine title contenders, unpacks Unai Emery’s influence, key tactical shifts, squad strengths and weaknesses, and the factors likely to make or break their pursuit of silverware.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Aston Villa’s Turnaround: Key Factors

• Unai Emery’s Steady Hand
  • Jacob attributes Villa’s success and turnaround post-poor start to manager Unai Emery’s consistency and mentality.

    "Apart from that answer, which a few days after that he actually regretted, he's very consistent. He doesn't get too high, he doesn't get too low and that's the mentality that he's tried to foster over three years at Aston Villa."
    — Jacob Tanszwa (02:12)

  • A stable squad core (few summer changes) was forced by a restricted budget, deepening understanding of Emery’s methods.
  • August’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland, where Emery criticized his own players, acted as a reset moment. The result “stopped the rot” and laid foundations for resilience.

2. Tactical Evolution Under Emery

• Shape & Adaptability
  • Emery’s Villa prefer a 4-2-3-1 or 4-2-2-2, focusing on central overloads and transitional threat.
  • Against big teams, Villa raise their level, sticking to a “plan A” but adapting in-game—sometimes bypassing the press with direct balls.

    "They're really phenomenal at playing up in games... their capacity to kind of raise the level individually and collectively is… always there to see."
    — Liam Tharm (03:43)

• Paulo Torres’ Integration
  • Early season caution prioritized defensive solidity; Torres introduced only once structure was stabilized.
  • His left-footed passing adds line-breaking quality next to the defensive rock of Ezri Konsa.

    “Torres at left centre back is really the key in that team… as a left footer there, able to break lines.”
    — Liam Tharm (04:53)

3. Transfer Window Aftereffects & Squad Morale

• Missed Champions League Impact
  • Missing out on Champions League hampered recruitment and deflated morale—veteran departures (e.g., Jacob Ramsey), transfer sagas, and a limited net spend intensified instability.
  • However, adversity forced the existing group to deepen cohesion and rely on internal improvement.

    “They didn't feel settled. They didn't feel this team that Emery's built for two and a half years, that was just absolutely incredible and so consistent... they felt actually up in the air.”
    — Jacob Tanszwa (08:09)

4. In-Game Management & ‘Super Subs’

• Bench Impact
  • Emery has developed a knack for game-changing substitutions—Villa are second in the league for goals from substitutes (09:29).

    “He's coached at the top level for so long now... playing against bigger, better teams is something he's very accustomed to.”
    — Liam Tharm (09:55)

  • Clear tactical systems mean subs understand their roles instantly; heavy rotation helps both manage fatigue and influence matches late.

5. Player Redevelopment: The Buendia Story

• From Surplus to Stalwart
  • Emiliano Buendia resurrected his Villa career after an ACL injury and failed loan, becoming vital for big-game goals—despite being offered for sale in preseason.

    “His renaissance kind of symbolizes Aston Villa really this season.”
    — Jacob Tanszwa (11:31)

6. Spreading the Goals (But Is It Enough?)

• Ollie Watkins’ Struggles and Injury Concern
  • Watkins’ low goal tally is a worry, partly due to lingering knee pain, but the team offsets this with goals from all over the pitch.
  • Liam: Having multiple contributors is now more valuable than reliance on one striker.

    “Managers or coaches generally now prefer that spread of goals because if one player gets injured or... out of form... you've got way few avenues of attack.”
    — Liam Tharm (22:12)

  • Jacob notes Villa’s expected goals numbers improved only recently; Watkins' fitness and form remain crucial.

    “He doesn't train all the time and that's an issue... it's going to require rest. So that's obviously impacted him and impacted his, his rhythm and form.”
    — Jacob Tanszwa (24:23)

7. Defensive Record & Game Management

• Resilience, But Slow Starts
  • Villa’s defense is up there with the best, particularly in the second half of games. However, slow starts and marginal one-goal wins remain a worry.

    “They finished first half really well… but they're really bad starters.”
    — Liam Tharm (25:22)

  • Jacob: Team tends to “weather storms” and bounce back from setbacks.

8. Consistency & The Title Race Landscape

• Villa’s Consistency (or Not) Vs. Rivals’ Stumbles
  • Since March, no Premier League team has more wins (17).
  • Panel doubts Villa can sustain a full title challenge, but both feel a Champions League spot is realistic—helped by rivals’ inconsistencies.

    “They find a way to win games… their ability to be resilient and to hang in games will mean that they won't go on these skids. They won't be at the top either, but they're certainly going to be in contention for a Champions League spot.”
    — Jacob Tanszwa (27:20)

  • League may require fewer points to win than in previous years due to general competitive volatility.

9. Home Form: Villa Park Fortress

• Statistical Dominance
  • No team in Europe has more home wins in past three years. Defeats at Villa Park have become rare and usually only to Crystal Palace.
  • Emery himself reportedly learned the word “fortress” to describe their home advantage.

    “They can beat any team in Europe at home, unless it's Crystal Palace.”
    — Jacob Tanszwa (29:31)

10. Unai Emery’s Reputation & Fit

• Best ‘Pound-for-Pound’ Manager?
  • Emery has flourished with control at Villa, avoiding the politics of Arsenal/PSG, maximizing existing resources, and overcoming occasional limitations in man-management or club politics.

    “Pound for pound, I think he's been performing better than any other Premier League manager this season.”
    — Jacob Tanszwa (33:23)

  • His style suits being an underdog more than a megaclub manager, thriving where he can be a “fighter”.

11. January Transfer Window Prospects

• Difficult Market
  • Emery has final authority. Villa may target a versatile attacker but spending will likely be cautious unless they're strongly placed in January.

    “He can pivot transfer plans... They will try and sign a striker, preferably young... Emery loves these versatile players.”
    — Jacob Tanszwa (35:54)

12. Fan Sentiment

• Unbridled Joy Among Fans
  • Emery is much loved; a whole generation of Villa fans know only his successful tenure and European adventures.

    "Every single year they've qualified for some sort of European competition. So it's all roses in the garden."
    — Jacob Tanszwa (37:22)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Emery’s Consistency:

  "He doesn't get too high, he doesn't get too low and that's the mentality that he's tried to foster over three years at Aston Villa."
  — Jacob Tanszwa (02:12)

• On Villa Being Title Contenders:

  "They are in the conversation with Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, who a lot of people will class as firm favorites."
  — IO Akimolere (19:32)

• On Villa Park Advantage:

  "No side in Europe has put together more home wins across the previous three years than Aston Villa... Emery's gameplay has been structured around home wins."
  — IO Akimolere & Jacob Tanszwa (28:58-29:31)

• On Watkins’ Knee Problems:

  "He doesn't train all the time and that's an issue... it's going to require rest. So that's obviously impacted him and impacted his, his rhythm and form."
  — Jacob Tanszwa (24:23)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Villa’s Turnaround / Unai Emery’s Influence: 02:12
• Tactical Setup / Paulo Torres Integration: 03:43 — 05:12
• Squad Morale After Summer & Missed UCL: 07:34 — 09:29
• Bench Impact & Substitutes: 09:29
• Buendia’s Revival: 11:31
• Goal-Scoring Spread & Watkins Discussion: 13:15 — 24:23
• Defense, Marginal Wins, Slow Starts: 25:09 — 25:58
• Consistency & Depth Concerns: 27:20
• Villa Park as Fortress: 28:58
• Emery’s Reputation & Fit: 32:19 — 33:23
• January Transfer Plans: 35:46
• Fan Outlook: 36:59 — 37:22

Conclusion

Main Takeaway:
Aston Villa under Unai Emery have become one of the Premier League’s most resilient and tactically cohesive teams, riding defensive solidity, a strong core, and fortress-like home form to a potentially historic season. While true title contention may be just out of reach due to depth issues and the specter of injuries, Villa’s consistency and Emery’s management have them on the cusp of the Champions League—and dreaming even higher.

For listeners:
If you missed this episode, you’ll walk away with a deep sense of what’s behind Villa’s rise, Emery’s transformative impact, how tactical tweaks and unsung heroes are shaping the season—and why, despite remarkable momentum, there are still a few reasons to be cautious with your title bets.