Could Aston Villa Produce a Leicester-Style Shock and Win the Premier League?

Posted on January 15, 2024 by SoccerPunter

 The English Premier League is one of the most competitive football leagues in the world. Despite the dominance of Manchester City in recent years, the battle for the trophy is always tightly contested, and campaigns are often decided by nail-biting final-day showdowns.

Everyone loves an underdog story, and this year it is Aston Villa that is enjoying the limelight. Villa have consistently punched above their weight this season, to the delight of the club’s passionate fan base. Could Villa shock the world and lift the Premier League trophy this season? Find out here.

Emery Steadies the Ship

In October 2022, Aston Villa sacked manager Steven Gerrard after a tumultuous run of form that left the club dangerously close to the relegation zone. In a league as competitive as the Premier League, this can be a perilous position to be in, and Villa needed an experienced man to come in and quickly fix things.

They found just that in Unai Emery. The Spaniard stepped in days after Gerrard left Villa Park. While fans were happy to have an experienced and battle-hardened man in charge, they were concerned at the state of the club and could see troubled times ahead.

Rescuing the 22/23 Season

Emery took over a relegation-threatened Aston Villa, but the Spaniard soon showed why he is considered one of the best managers in the world. He quickly galvanised the team, shoring up a leaking defence and turned the team into a well-drilled machine that was difficult to break down and, increasingly, an offensive threat.

At the time of Steven Gerrard’s departure, many assumed Villa would spend the season battling relegation. However, under the stewardship of Unai Emery, Villa climbed the league table and, against the odds, finished in a respectable seventh place.

Off to a Good Start

After a positive end to the 22/23 season, Villa fans were no doubt excited for the 23/24 campaign. While opening day saw them lose 5 -1 to Newcastle, Villa enjoyed a positive start to the season, recording wins over Everton, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Brighton in the opening weeks of the campaign.

What has become evident as the season has progressed is Emery’s tactical abilities and his talent for building a winning team. Villa’s high line offers security by creating an offensive trap for opposing attackers, while forwards such as Ollie Watkins have helped Villa become one of the highest-scoring teams in the league.

Could Villa Lift the Trophy?

This year’s race for the Premier League title is wide open, and nobody knows for sure who will lift the trophy at the end of the season. While teams like Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal are almost always in the running, few could have predicted Villa’s run of success.

As things stand, Villa are in second place. They currently have 42 points, just three shy of leaders Liverpool and two ahead of third-placed Manchester City.

Villa look poised to make a push for the trophy as we head into the second half of the season. Do they really have what it takes to secure what would be a truly historic achievement?

While Villa are in a fantastic position, the financial might of the league’s biggest club will prove difficult to overcome. Teams like Manchester City and Liverpool are awash with talent, capable of bringing on game-changing players and rotating without sacrificing quality. Villa have their share of talented players, but squad depth could prove to be a deciding factor.

Conclusion

Anything can happen in football, something we’ve seen evidenced countless times over the years. Could Villa do the unthinkable and win the Premier League? It’s certainly a tall order; the odds are long and maybe worth a punt, and you never can say never.