Podcast Summary: "Villa’s Incredible Run Continues, Man City Pile On The Points Not Kilos & Brentford Defying The Odds"

Podcast: The Rest Is Football
Date: December 29, 2025
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards

Episode Overview

In this lively post-Christmas episode, Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, and Micah Richards break down a dramatic festive set of Premier League fixtures. They begin with Aston Villa’s record-equalling run after overcoming Chelsea, explore Manchester City’s relentless title pursuit, and marvel at Brentford’s resilience. The trio also dig into Newcastle’s attacking woes, Manchester United’s tactical adjustments, and the ongoing ups and downs for clubs like Arsenal, Bournemouth, and Wolves. Aside from the on-field analysis, the hosts swap dressing-room stories, fantasy football grievances, and festive banter, blending deep insight with trademark banter and chemistry.

Festive Banter & Christmas Recap

• [02:16-04:48]
  The show begins with lighthearted tales from Christmas:
  • Micah unexpectedly enjoyed his Christmas, recounting:

    “I absolutely loved Christmas Day... normally I'm a grinch... dinner was fantastic. The quizzes were brilliant. The energy was... magnificent.” (02:29)

  • Micah admits to eating 30 pigs in blankets, setting a personal goal for next year:

    “I'm going for 50 next year.” (03:36)

  • Gary hosted a quiz and dance competition at home, joking about his competitive spirit with his family.

Aston Villa’s Remarkable Run

Key Points

• [04:48-12:14]
• Villa equaled a club record (from 1914) with 11 consecutive wins following a comeback against Chelsea.
• Alan: Praises Unai Emery’s game-changing subs:

  “Ollie Watkins won the game for them. They just couldn't handle his running... what a run.” (05:20)

• Micah asks about the mindset for strikers left out, referencing Watkins playing with renewed “fire in his belly.”
• The hosts dissect Emery’s rotation and tactical decision-making, emphasizing Villa’s persistent attacking style.
• Alan cautions on Villa’s squad depth and sustainability for a title challenge:

  “With the size of the squad they've got and the number of games, it's... difficult to see them sustainable.” (10:18)

• Gary: Highlights Villa’s improved bench and squad fitness as key to their unexpected success.

Memorable Quotes

• Micah on Villa:

  “Up till now, they're just a great watch. I think they're a different watch... the manager’s able to change players and systems to suit them.” (11:25)

Fantasy Football Frustrations

• [07:32-08:40]
• Gary and Micah debate fantasy points missed due to dubious assist rules:

  “How's that not an assist?” — Gary (07:59) “I've never been so angry in my life.” — Micah (08:16)

• Lighthearted commiseration about bench boost tactics and fantasy luck.

Can Aston Villa Sustain a Title Charge?

• [09:42-12:14]
• The team doubts Villa’s ability to keep pace over a full season due to squad depth but lauds Emery’s coaching.
• Discussion on belief and pressure mounting if Villa continue their run.
• Micah:

  “Once you start believing, that comes with more pressure... but up till now, they're just a great watch.” (11:25)

Manchester City: Relentless & Ruthless

Key Points

• [14:16-18:14]
• Micah praises City’s “subtle movements” and adaptability even as their pressing is less intense this season:

  “They're cooking on gas, Gary... even when leaving gaps, they just get the job done.” (14:26, 17:20)

• Discussion of Earn Anderson’s defensive lapse leading to a goal, and City’s attacking quality overcoming Forest’s stubborn defense.
• Alan notes City’s luck on decisions (VAR and yellow cards).
• Gary highlights Wayne Rooney’s insightful punditry on penalty incidents.

Memorable Quotes

• Micah:

  “I have to give City a bit of credit because they always try win the game... and now the title race has become very interesting. Very, very interesting.” (18:14)

Arsenal: Set Piece Specialists or More?

• [18:14-24:43]
• Arsenal edged a game against Brighton, with big credit to a “world-class save” preserving their lead.
• Micah bats away criticism that Arsenal “only score from set pieces” as misplaced:

  “It is hard to score from set pieces... why don’t everyone else do it as well?” (19:25)

• Alan:

  “Because of the pressure... everyone’s looking at them and City’s putting massive pressure on them too.” (19:52)

• The trio critique new striker Yokerez’s lack of movement and compare him to targeted runs of elite strikers like Haaland:

  “As a striker, you’ve got to gamble on where you think the ball might go...” — Gary (22:03) “If 10 balls come in, you get one of them. Fine, you’ve done your job.” — Alan (23:47)

Chelsea’s Flaws and the Leadership Question

• [24:43-28:42]
• A listener question on Chelsea sparks discussion on missing elements to be genuine title contenders.
• Alan:

  “For me, I think they're a top quality center half away and a brilliant center forward away.” (25:40)

• The hosts believe the young squad also lacks experienced leaders.
• Micah on leaders:

  “You always want to have a reliable spine... just two leaders and two players away from really being genuine contenders.” (26:34)

• Fond reminiscences of great leaders: Case, Kompany, Gerrard, Brian Robson, Terry Butcher.

Manchester United & Newcastle: Tactical Shifts and Attacking Anxieties

Manchester United

• [30:27-36:16]
• United’s system change to a back four yields a hard-fought win over Newcastle.
• Alan laments Newcastle crossing 46 times but lacking penalty-box desire:

  “How can you have 46 crosses in a game and... not create really good opportunities?” (31:50)

• Micah: Notes how United, despite not playing well, looked much more organized.

Emerging Talent

• Praise for United’s young defender Aiden Heaven:

  “He reads a game really well for a young player... especially as a central defender.” — Gary (35:57)

• Mention of agency ties in the background.

Brentford & Bournemouth: Defying the Odds (or Not)

• [36:23-38:04]
• Alan calls Brentford “superb” for their direct, energetic play dismantling Bournemouth:

  “The pace and the energy that they had... the two forwards worked really well together.” (36:57)

• Bournemouth’s poor run attributed to loss of key players and possible lack of squad depth.
• Micah:

  “Maybe they are just missing that extra bit of quality.”

Additional Highlights

Wolves & Verts, Leeds Surging

• Brief celebration of Verts’ first goal (for Wolves), with Micah hoping for more.
• [39:42-41:18]
  Banter erupts on Micah’s slippery “allegiance” as Leeds impress, with Gary teasing him for supporting multiple clubs:

  “It must be great to support that many teams! You've got half a chance of being in a good mood every weekend.” (41:03)

Remembering John Robertson

• Gary leads a touching tribute to late Forest and Leicester legend John Robertson:

  “I mean, what an unbelievably brilliant footballer... just a really, really, really lovely, fun, fun guy.” (41:18)

• Warm support and reminiscence from Alan and Micah.

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Villa’s Comeback & Record — 04:48–12:14
• Fantasy Football Frustrations — 07:32–08:40
• Man City’s Title Pursuit & VAR Discussion — 14:16–18:14
• Arsenal’s Set Piece Criticism & Striker Debate — 18:14–24:43
• Chelsea’s Missing Pieces & Leadership — 24:43–28:42
• Man United Tactics & Newcastle’s Crosses — 30:27–36:16
• Brentford’s Form & Bournemouth Concerns — 36:23–38:04
• Leeds’ Momentum & Micah’s Teams — 39:42–41:18
• Tribute to John Robertson — 41:18–41:54

Tone & Style

The episode blends deep football insight with the relaxed, bantering style that defines “The Rest Is Football.” The hosts constantly rib each other—especially over festive excesses and shifting club allegiances—while never straying far from real tactical analysis and player evaluation. Their decades in football allow for unique stories, sharp opinions, and warm tributes, making this festive edition a must for football fans seeking both expertise and a sense of camaraderie.

Notable Quote for the Episode:

“They always try win the game. No matter if they have to go out wide, through the lines, over the top, set piece. They'll just get the job done. And now the title race has become very interesting.”
— Micah Richards (18:14)