Third-placed Villa face Chelsea test as Premier League title race heats up
Khaleej Times
|December 26, 2025
Aston Villa face a tough challenge at Chelsea on Saturday after muscling their way into the Premier League title race alongside Arsenal and Manchester City.
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Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers celebrates scoring their second goal in the Premier League match against Manchester United at Villa Park, Birmingham, on December 21, 2025. — REUTERS
(REUTERS)
The Gunners, top of the tree at Christmas, host Brighton, while Pep Guardiola's inform City travel to Nottingham Forest. Liverpool manager Arne Slot is grappling with a striker crisis after Alexander Isak fractured his leg, while Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes also faces a spell on the sidelines. AFP Sport looks at three talking points ahead of the festive action:
Unai Emery's third-placed Villa are still considered rank outsiders for the Premier League title even though they are just three points behind leaders Arsenal.
Villa's 2-1 home win against Manchester United was their 10th consecutive victory in all competitions — the first time they have achieved the feat as a topflight team since 1914.
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