Aston Villa is becoming the biggest sensation of the 2025/26 Premier League season. From a team usually fighting for European spots, they have suddenly surged forward to challenge the likes of Arsenal, Man City, and Liverpool. Their thrilling 4-3 victory over Brighton not only propelled Villa to 3rd place in the standings but also sparked a compelling question: does Aston Villa have what it takes to win the Premier League with Jadon Sancho in their ranks?
Aston Villa’s Rise and New Status in the Title Race
The 4-3 win against Brighton showed that Aston Villa is playing with the mindset of a genuine title contender. Despite falling behind 0-2 in the first half due to mistakes from backup goalkeeper Bizot, the claret and blue never collapsed. Instead, they came back fiercely with a fighting spirit:
- Ollie Watkins scored twice to level the game.
- Onana’s towering header gave Villa a 3-2 lead.
- Malen sealed the comeback with a 4-2 goal that stunned Brighton.
This was more than a victory — it was a statement: Aston Villa wants to compete for the Premier League title.
With 27 points after 14 matches, Villa is just 6 points behind Arsenal — a gap easily closable with a long season ahead. More importantly, they have been consistent with 8 wins in their last 9 games, matching the big clubs in attack and stability.
Matlama FC’s detailed analysis highlights Villa’s remarkable improvement in tactics and timely bursts of form.
Jadon Sancho’s Impact – The Key to Unlocking Ambition
If Aston Villa’s rise is partly thanks to Unai Emery’s tactical approach, it is even more true that Jadon Sancho’s arrival has brought a new level of spark.
Sancho offers Villa three crucial attributes:
- Quick ball control and direction changes
- Exceptional dribbling in tight spaces
- Modern and intelligent link-up play
These qualities have significantly enhanced Villa’s ability to break down opposing defenses — a must-have for any team aiming to win the Premier League.
Boosting Squad Depth
What makes Aston Villa even more dangerous is that they are no longer reliant on just Watkins or Diaby. With Sancho, Villa’s attack can rotate fluidly:
- Sancho – Watkins – Malen
- Diaby – Watkins – Sancho
- Or a 4-2-3-1 with Sancho playing as the playmaker
This diversity helps maintain consistency across the season, preventing burnout — a common issue for mid-table teams in the grueling Premier League. Additionally, the team’s progress has drawn support and investment from sponsors, further strengthening the squad.
Perfect Fit for Emery’s Style
Unai Emery favors players who:
- Play fast
- Combine technical skills
- Can escape pressing effectively
Sancho fits all three. From Dortmund to Man United, and now Aston Villa, the English winger shines when given creative freedom. At Villa Park, Sancho plays exactly this role — rediscovering the star quality that once promised to make him a cornerstone of England’s national team.
The Brighton Victory – A Proof of Title Contender Mentality
Returning to the match, Villa proved why they are now considered real contenders for the Premier League title:
- They didn’t fold despite trailing by two goals.
- They stayed strong even after their main keeper Martinez got injured before kickoff.
- They never gave up when under early pressure.
Instead, they stuck to their game plan, pressed intelligently, exploited wing speed, and punished every mistake. This is the mentality a team chasing the title must have: resilience and the ability to turn games around.
Ollie Watkins – The Goal Machine Carrying Villa’s Title Dream
While Sancho provides creativity, Watkins remains Villa’s “goal-scoring machine.” This season, he’s at his career best in terms of:
- Speed
- Decisiveness
- Lethality in front of goal
Watkins dragged the club back from the brink against Brighton. Any team hoping to win the Premier League needs a striker of his caliber.
World-Class Midfield: Onana – Cash – Tielemans
Villa’s comeback also revealed the true strength of their midfield:
- Onana’s powerful header showed dangerous box presence.
- Matty Cash remains the reliable right-wing initiator, constantly delivering quality crosses.
- Tielemans controls the rhythm with calmness and leadership.
The blend of experience, youth, and pace creates a balanced midfield — a key foundation for Villa’s quest to win the Premier League.
Can Aston Villa Really Win the Premier League?
So, can Aston Villa clinch the Premier League title? The answer is: absolutely — if they maintain their current form. The reasons behind this ambition are:
- Most consistent form among title contenders
- 8 wins in the last 9 games prove true championship potential
- Clear, effective tactics
- Emery’s team plays fast pressing, sharp counter-attacks, strong wing play, and exploits set pieces — perfectly suited for the Premier League
- Sancho adds depth, speed, and creativity to the frontline
- Competitors face issues: Arsenal lacks consistency, Man City weakened without Haaland, Liverpool and Man United are unstable
The path is wide open for Villa.
Conclusion
Aston Villa is proving they are not just a temporary sensation. With Jadon Sancho’s arrival, Ollie Watkins’ scoring prowess, Emery’s tactical brilliance, and an indomitable fighting spirit, Villa Park’s team can realistically dream of the biggest prize: winning the Premier League.
The season is long, but Aston Villa has shown they have the courage, strength, and ambition to make history.