Grace Wheeler
BBC Sport
Image source, Getty ImagesAston Villa forward Evann Guessand has been called up to join the Ivory Coast squad for the Africa Cup of Nations after Sébastien Haller sustained an injury.
Guessand, who was on the reserve list, will join the team out in Morocco, with Ivory Coast's first Afcon fixture coming on 24 December.
Sarah Rendell
BBC Sport journalist
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Manchester United at Villa Park (kick-off 16:30 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Emery says goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez "is progressing well" but they will decide "tomorrow" if he will be available.
On the other injuries in his squad: "Tyrone Mings is still injured. He is getting better and maybe in a few weeks he will maybe join us. Pau Torres is the same. Ross Barkley is still injured, longer than those two players. [Harvey] Elliott is sick - he didn't train today."
On how Villa can maintain their strong recent form: "We have to work like we have the last year but especially the last two months. After our poor start, the players [have been] involved with me in the demands I have and am trying to set in the squad about how we want to work and how we can get our consistency. The players have responded fantastically."
On the transfer window: "The club is working. Signing some players can add something different."
On how to keep a crowded squad happy: "The challenge is to win each match. Everything we did is done and we must be focused on the next match only. How we are managing players is very important because we must feel collectively [in order] to perform how we are doing."
On visitors Manchester United: "They are performing very, very well away. At home, they are having more problems. If you study how they are performing with the new coach last year to this year, I think they are getting better. They have very good players. We are ready but we respect them."
Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Freya Sweet
BBC Sport Journalist
The noise surrounding Unai Emery's team is growing as the possibility of Aston Villa being title contenders seems to be as real as ever.
Villa are currently on their longest winning streak in the Premier League, coming from behind at West Ham on Sunday for their ninth straight victory.
With 2025 soon coming to an end, Villa's plan to maintain their record of only losing one home game in all competitions for the whole year depends on a result against Manchester United.
After their recent run of form, many might feel that Villa are obvious favourites. However, a wave of anxiety looms over many fans.
Aston Villa's first win in 27 years at Villa Park against the Red Devils was Unai Emery's opening game in charge in November 2022.
Indeed, Villa have only ever won five games in the Premier League against United and just three on their own turf. If anyone can stop Emery's side at the moment, this bogey team seems the most likely.
This unwanted record creates added pressure if Emery's side are going to continue their winning streak and protect the 'fortress' in their final home game of 2025.
Barcelona are considering Aston Villa's 28-year-old defender Pau Torres and Borussia Dortmund's 26-year-old defender Nico Schlotterbeck, as they look to sign a left-sided centre-back. (ESPN), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column
Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter
Image source, Getty Images"We don't panic," said Morgan Rogers in an interview with Villa TV after his latest showstopper topped the bill in Villa's hit East End show.
'Don't panic' is what people usually say just before they start to panic. But Villa play it cool- - or cold, as Rogers might put it.
They have won all five Premier League games since the last international break. That is despite falling behind in three, going two down at Brighton, trailing West Ham twice and grappling with title favourites Arsenal until landing the knockout blow in the very last scene. Not only effective, but box office.
Admire the football - enjoy the show.
"It's a positive to take that we know we're never out of a game and that we can always get back into it," Rogers added. "Of course, we want to start these games better and sometimes starting away games slowly might catch up with us.
"We need to be wary of that, but the resilience, fight and determination to get back into the games is a special thing to have in that group."
Rogers' season is well observed through the same perspective. In the doldrums of late summer, the inspiring form of his first full Aston Villa season seemed to have deserted him.
But when disappointed fans felt he should be left out, Unai Emery decided the best approach was to power through the dry spell. Rogers is one of only three Villa players to start all 16 League games.
"We are not getting the same level in every match," Emery said of Rogers in September, "but be confident you will get the same level again."
"If this carries on, Emery will be gone," read a headline on fans' comments published on this page that same week, exactly three months ago. Just below it sits my own piece arguing that Villa should prioritise the Europa League, since their slow start put them out of contention for a high Premier League finish. It felt like a clever thing to write at the time.
On Monday, a Villa fan called Ron rang BBC Radio WM's Football Phone-In to state with confidence that Villa would finish in the top three and win the Europa League.
"I think being from Birmingham and Aston, you don't think you're ever up with those big boys. And we are. And you've got to believe in that, and he's making the players believe in that. And I think the fans have got to start believing it as well."
Believe. It's the season for it.
And tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights
Aston Villa plan to open talks with midfielder Youri Tielemans over a new contract, with his current deal set to expire in 2028. (Football Insider), external
Villa have no interest in selling Lamare Bogarde, despite interest from Brighton in the midfielder. (Football Insider), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
David Michael
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesIt is nine consecutive wins for Unai Emery's Aston Villa and, with every victory, the takes become glossier.
Villa are brilliant. Villa are flying. Villa are in the title race. The reality is a little less dramatic.
Let's forget about the T-word for a moment and have some real talk.
Aside from a genuinely impressive all-round performance against Arsenal, Villa's level has not been breathtaking.
That is not devil's advocacy. What has carried them has been resilience, an iron will, and the ability to produce decisive (and great) goals at the right moments.
During this winning run, Villa have made hard work against relegation zone dwellers Wolves and West Ham. Their recent trip to Basel was functional rather than inspiring. Even their 4-0 win over Bournemouth saw them with an inferior xG of 1.3 to the Cherries' two.
Then, akin to how they started the season, Villa have been slow starters, falling behind inside the opening 10 minutes against Leeds, Brighton and West Ham before recovering to win.
To add to their supporters' nerves, they have also conceded a disallowed goal in each of their three games in the past week.
Villa are not exactly doing things the easy way, but as we all know, football is a results business.
Finding a way is a healthy quality to have across a Premier League season. Cynics will argue it is not sustainable - but why isn't it?
Zoom out and Emery's form since arriving at Villa Park is only bettered by three teams in the league.
The year ends with Villa stress-testing their formidable home form against Manchester United, followed by back-to-back away trips to Chelsea and Arsenal.
After those games, Villa's aims for 2026 will be clearer, along with whether this side has the character to meet them.
Find more from David Michael at My Old Man Said, external
Some of you have been in touch using our Ask Me Anything about Aston Villa form and you're keen to know what the latest is with Tyrone Mings.
Mings is still out with a hamstring injury but could return early in the New Year.
The defender has been sidelined since the start of November after coming off against Liverpool and has not played since the Europa League defeat at Go Ahead Eagles in October.
Before that, he started Villa's opening six Premier League games but an ankle injury in September kept him out for almost a month.
In his absence Ezri Konsa and Pau Torres have become Unai Emery's first choice defensive pairing, although Victor Lindelof deputised for the injured Torres in Sunday's win at West Ham.
Mings - who has become an England international during his six years at Villa - only signed a new contract in June, which ties him to Villa until 2027 but that does not necessarily guarantee he will still be at the club until then.
He is 33 in March, certainly not too old, but Villa have relied on the core old guard for a long time and - within their financial restrictions - have been slowly refreshing the squad.
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Aston Villa winning the Premier League would not have the seismic impact of Leicester City's triumph in 2016 but it would be a stunning shake-up of the established order.
Unai Emery's side won their ninth game in succession when they came from behind to win at West Ham United, leaving them third and just three points behind leaders Arsenal.
Villa's surge of form is all the more remarkable after a poor start in which they took six attempts to win their first league game before finally securing a home victory over Fulham.
If Villa did win their first title since 1981, it would still be a huge shock given the expected three-way fight between champions Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City, but they must be part of the conversation on current form.
I tipped Villa to finish fifth this season, a prediction based on Emery's pedigree and past form. He took them into the Champions League last season, then only missed out on a place in this season's tournament after losing at Manchester United on the final day of 2024-25.
Emery has the magic trick of making good players better. Morgan Rogers, as he proved with two goals at West Ham, is one of the league's outstanding players, while he kept faith with England striker Ollie Watkins through a barren spell and back to form.
Villa still remain outsiders, but Emery has made a career out of defying the odds so it would be dangerous to dismiss him doing the same again.
Freya Sweet
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesRon Saunders' legendary quote "do you want to bet against us?" perfectly sums up the attitude and passion displayed by Unai Emery's side in the Premier League this season.
Aston Villa's comeback win at West Ham on Sunday was another example of how you should never count Villa out.
The fightback was just the second time the Villans have ended on the winning side in a Premier League game having fallen behind twice and showcased the strong spirit being built among Emery's side while they continue on their longest ever winning streak in the league.
After not winning any of their first five league games, Villa's hopes of playing European football next season felt as if they were slowly fading with each game. However, the underdog mentality historically embedded into the club is now shining through.
Villa have won 10 of their last 11 Premier League games, including the past six in a row. They are only three points behind leaders Arsenal and one point away from eight time Premier League champions Manchester City.
Many fans are left wondering whether the table would look any different if Villa had found their form sooner.
Villa's upcoming fixtures will be critical to how their title hopes play out. Their next three matches see them face Manchester United at home, and both Chelsea and Arsenal away.
Claiming all nine points would see the gap close and the race for the title become extremely competitive. But that is easier said than done - particularly because United's record against Villa is outstanding.
By the end of December, Villa could be fuelling the fire of an underdog Premier League title campaign, or their dreams could look like they are dashed after facing three of the 'big six'.
Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesMorgan Rogers was not merely a goal threat in Sunday's 3-2 win at West Ham, despite registering five of Villa's seven attempts.
He enjoyed more touches inside the Hammers box than any of his colleagues at London Stadium, while he also completed more than 90% of his 22 passes in the final third - the joint-highest ratio among Villa players.
"He is such an intelligent player," Former Premier League winger Theo Walcott told Match of the Day. "He's the kind of player that recognises a weakness in the structure of the team."
Reflecting on Rogers' delightful second goal, the former Arsenal player continued: "You think of [Cristiano] Ronaldo and how, if you give them time and space on the ball when they shoot from distance, they are able to manipulate the ball the way they want to. Well, Rogers is able to do that.
"Of course, he got that space he was looking for against West Ham. If you give time and space to any player like that, you are in trouble, especially him because of the way he hits the ball."
Unsurprisingly, Rogers said after the game he was "pretty confident right now". He got eight league goals last season and has five already this campaign.
"I'm scoring quite a few lately," he said. "If I score and we win, then I'm happy. I want to score as much as possible and help the team.
"At the moment, we're in a great run, so let's see where that takes us."
Image source, Getty ImagesFormer Aston Villa midfielder Nigel Reo-Coker says Unai Emery's side have to be considered as being in the title race now they are showing their grit and determination to keep winning.
Villa are two points off leaders Arsenal and a point behind second-place Manchester City, with a five-point cushion on Chelsea in fourth.
"When you watch how Unai Emery has coached this team and with the players they have available, they can beat anyone in the Premier League on any day," said Reo-Coker on BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast.
"That is the beauty of what they are. But can they continue to be consistent? Well, the fact they went a goal down against West Ham twice and came back makes a statement.
"They are doing well in Europe as well, but Emery keeps saying it is one game at a time and I think that is the right message for the players in the dressing room.
"Deep down, though, I bet he is loving every single minute of this because he has built something that is really amazing and is competing in the Premier League title race.
"I don't think it was an ambition of theirs for this season but they have shown how they can perform in every aspect so far.
"They also now have a pretty healthy and fit squad, so I do think they should be trying to win the Europa League as well.
"Emery has done so much for Villa so it would be great for everyone to say he has taken them to another level with a trophy."
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We asked for your thoughts after Sunday's Premier League game between West Ham and Aston Villa.
Here are some of your comments:
West Ham fans
John: Some positives, seeing far greater energy and we pressed well. However, we can't defend and we don't have answers in the final third. We need to bring in a central defender and an out-and-out striker next month.
Geoff: Our performances are improving under Nuno game by game. He's moving us forward. We will move up the table.
Grant: Same old story. Poor defending has cost us again. You can't give Morgan Rogers that much space and time on the edge of the box. Unless we sort our defence out, we are going to be relegated.
Dan: Relegation beckons unless we can get some points when we deserve to. Avoidable goals and late substitutions contributed to our downfall today. Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville caused loads of problems but with no genuine striker, it's always going to be tricky. Keep the faith!
Aston Villa fans
Theo: Not at our best but individual performances such as Rogers in particular helped us get through in the end. Great to continue the good run which is entirely down to squad depth. When things are not going well there is a quality player to come on and switch it up. Very happy.
Edward: Class from Villa. More points from a losing position that shows the character of this team. Watch out Arsenal, we are coming.
Steve: Villa's confidence is growing game on game. Top three finish looking extremely possible but Manchester United are always a bogey team for Villa. It will be a real test.
Ian: Well another three points without playing at our best - is that the sign of a good team? What we showed yet again is great character and resilience, and our ability to keep going. We are a threat anywhere near the opponents' goal. Rogers just keeps getting better and the team never gives up. My only criticism is of Ezri Konsa. Great defender but does get sloppy and too casual on the ball at times, which gave them their first goal. Let's keep the momentum going as confidence is building game on game.
Former England forward Theo Walcott believes Morgan Rogers "set the tone" for Aston Villa in their 3-2 comeback win over West Ham.
Rodgers scored twice in the second half to make it eight goal contributions in 16 Premier League appearances this season.
"His influence in this Aston Villa team is really standing out - you can see the confidence in his game," Walcott said on Match of the Day.
"What I really like is his intent from minute one. He sets the tone in how he is going to perform."
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Pundits Joe Hart and Theo Walcott and Joe Hart join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Sunday's Premier League fixtures.
And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
