Aston Villa: True extent behind second-half of the season collapse revealed, Unai Emery should be frightened

Aston Villa could still enjoy a hugely successful end to the season, despite a staggering collapse since the start of the year.

Unai Emery’s team had been in the mix for the Premier League title at the end of 2025, after a stunning run of form.

Villa won 13 of 14 league games before they went to Arsenal and lost 4-1 in December, but their form has completely fallen apart since then.

The Villans now find themselves 18 points off the top of the table and hanging on to the top five under the threat of Bournemouth.

Villa’s form in the Europa League has been far better, and they will hope to progress to the final this week, but concerns at Villa Park remain outstanding.

Unai Emery must address Aston Villa collapse

Football Insider exclusively revealed in March that Emery could leave Villa this summer amid mounting frustrations over the spending capacity at Villa Park.

The profit and sustainability rules have hamstrung the Villans in recent years, although qualification for the Champions League would go some way to fixing the issue.

But it is not necessarily guaranteed yet. Bournemouth are six points behind and just one goal behind on goal difference.

While that appears a steep hill to climb, the Cherries are in superb form and could well win their final three.

On the other hand, Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham was their third consecutive across all competitions, and clashes against Liverpool and Manchester City are still to come.

In the Europa League, Emery’s team must overcome a 1-0 deficit to Nottingham Forest on Thursday if they are to make it to the final, with Vitor Pereira’s team in great form.

It is not yet out of the question that Villa fail to make it to the Champions League via either route, especially after looking at their form in recent months.

Emery’s team have won just five of their last 17 Premier League games. Had the season started at the beginning of the year, Villa would sit 15th and just three points above the relegation zone.

Villa season eerily similar to Emery’s Arsenal collapse

Emery’s first season at Arsenal eventually led to his demise, after he failed to secure Champions League football.

The Gunners had been in a great position to secure their position in the top four, with just five games left of the Premier League season and the Europa League final coming up.

But losses to Crystal Palace, Wolves and Leicester City saw Arsenal miss out in the league, with an embarrassing defeat to Chelsea in the final leaving Emery with a lot of explaining to do.

Villa will hope that the 54-year-old has learned from that situation, with the coming weeks to be crucial to this season’s success.

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