UNAI'S LIONS ROARING

Emery's World Cup hopefuls putting backs into Villans' unlikely title charge

- BY IAN BAKER

ASTON VILLA boast a squad packed with international talent but it is their English spine that is the backbone of an unlikely title challenge.

And that could be great news for Thomas Tuchel.

Ezri Konsa, Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins may not be guaranteed starters for the Three Lions boss at this summer's World Cup but they are pivotal to what Unai Emery is doing at Villa Park.

Victory over Nottingham Forest made it 11 straight home wins for Villa for the first time since 1990 and continued Emery's incredible 2025 record at Villa Park where his side has won 22 out of 27 games.

It was the perfect response to losing 4-1 at Arsenal in midweek and put them back second in the Premier League.

But on a chilling but pretty scene in England's second city this was not the easy first half of 2026 they might have expected.

And Watkins, on his 250th Villa appearance was the man frustrated.