Substitute Watkins won 2-1 with multiple goals… Eight consecutive wins in the first division for the first time in 115 years
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Aston Villa players celebrating a goal.” loading=”lazy” data-pop-open=”pop-photo” data-mapping-filename=”PRU20251228072601009_P4.jpg”/>[로이터=연합뉴스]
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Bae Jin-nam = Aston Villa of the English Professional Football Premier League (EPL) won 11 consecutive official games for the first time in about 112 years and jumped to third place in the league.
Aston Villa, led by coach Unai Emery (Spain), achieved a 2-1 comeback win against Chelsea in the 2025-2026 EPL round 18 away game held at Stamford Bridge in London, England on the morning of the 28th (Korean time).
They were taken away after giving up the first goal to Chelsea’s Joao Pedro in the 37th minute of the first half, but substitute Ollie Watkins turned the tide by scoring the equalizer in the 18th minute of the second half and the winning goal in the 39th minute.
It was a game where coach Emery’s replacement card completely changed the atmosphere, to the extent that Watkins praised him as a “tactical genius” after the game.
With this day’s victory, Aston Villa continued their exciting streak of 11 consecutive official wins, starting with the UEFA Europa League league phase home game against Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) on November 7 (2-0 win). During this period, they achieved 8 consecutive wins in the EPL.
According to the BBC, Aston Villa’s 11 consecutive wins tie the club’s record set in September 1897 and March 1914.
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In addition, it is the first time in 115 years that 8 consecutive wins have been achieved in England’s top league since 9 consecutive wins from October to December 1910.
Aston Villa has accumulated 39 points with 12 wins, 3 draws, and 3 losses this season, jumping to 3rd place out of 20 EPL teams.
They are only 1 point behind second-place Manchester City (40 points, 13 wins, 1 draw, 4 losses) and 3 points behind leader Arsenal (42 points, 13 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses).
Aston Villa failed to achieve a win until the fifth round this season and remained in 18th place in the league with 3 draws and 2 losses.
However, starting from the 6th round, they won more games and scored more points than any other team.
Aston Villa have never gained more points in the top league of English professional football than their current record of 39 points after 18 games this season.
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[AFP=연합뉴스]
Naturally, after the game, Emery was asked whether Aston Villa would be able to challenge for the title.
Coach Emery said, “Not really. It’s surprising that we are ranked third in the league after Arsenal and Manchester City,” and added, “We are fighting well, but we have only played 18 games and there are 20 games left.”
Coach Emery is a leader who has achieved success while working at Valencia, Sevilla, Villarreal (Spain), and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG, France).
In Sevilla, they achieved three consecutive UEFA Europa League titles starting from the 2013-2014 season, and led PSG to the top of the regular league, French Cup, and League Cup in the 2017-2018 season.
He also led Villarreal to win the Europa League in the 2020-2021 season.
Coach Emery, who took charge of Aston Villa at the beginning of the 2022-2023 season, gained trust by raising the team, which was worried about relegation, to 7th place and leading it to advance to the UEFA Conference League.
In the 2023-2024 season, they placed 4th in the league and advanced to the UEFA Champions League.
Aston Villa, which finished 6th in the league last season, is now a team competing for the title this season.
Interest in Aston Villa’s away game against Arsenal, the leader once led by Emery, on the 31st is also growing.
hosu1@yna.co.kr
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Sent at 15:57 on December 28, 2025
