From The Athletic
A bit of a puff piece - nothing new really, and I'd take issue with the comment about catering having bern improved. Has he been in the Lower Doug Elllis
ASTON VILLA, UNAI EMERY AND A REMARKABLE HOME RECORD
When Aston Villa supporters reflect on the growing stature of their club, many like to compare the euphoria with the dark and depressing times of the recent past.
The scene at Fulham for Steven Gerrard’s final game in charge is often recalled. Or the night when Glenn Whelan missed a penalty against Preston North End that cost Steve Bruce his job in October 2018. For every milestone reached under the guidance of Unai Emery, there is a moment to look back on that makes these good times feel even sweeter.
So how about this one?
Seven years ago this week, Villa drew 2-2 at home with Stoke City in the Championship and would then fail to beat Leeds United, Queens Park Rangers, Hull City, Sheffield United and West Bromwich Albion at Villa Park. It was December 2018, and the upper tier of the Trinity Road Stand had only just reopened, but there were thousands of empty seats. The only Fortress those at Villa knew of was the investment group founded by co-owner Wes Edens.
Yet as the club from England’s Second City find themselves in this season’s Premier League title race — despite the continued downplaying of it from within — the transformation at Villa Park is quite something.
No side in Europe has put together more home wins over the past three years. Arsenal were the latest to come unstuck at the weekend, after Manchester City in October (and last season), Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United in April, and Chelsea and Bayern Munich before that.
Even the champions, Liverpool, were held to a draw in February despite having the best away record in the division. Quite simply, Villa do not lose at home, unless it is against their bogey team, Crystal Palace.
The manner of the victories has been satisfying and rewarding. Villa piled forward in the closing seconds on Saturday to snatch a late win when a point looked good enough against the league leaders. Against City, it was all about defensive solidity and organisation. In a 4-0 victory over Bournemouth, Villa equalled a record for scoring three goals from set pieces in a Premier League game to highlight their versatility.
In all competitions, only five of the 11 teams they have faced this season have managed to score.
In last season’s Champions League quarter-finals, when eventual winners PSG raced into a two-goal lead, Villa responded with three in reply.
These are unrivalled times for a younger generation who thought Villa’s peak was finishing sixth for three seasons in a row under Martin O’Neill. The awkwardness of not winning a major trophy for nearly 30 years still stands, but not since the all-conquering days of the early Eighties have older supporters been so excited. With Villa dominant at home, they look well-equipped for a crack at winning the Europa League, too, especially with Emery having won it four times.
All this talk has left a fanbase feeling giddy and a little nervous. Many were happy to go about their business without any mention of the title race or their feared home record. But across the calendar year in the Premier League, only Manchester City have picked up more points at home: 46 from 18 games, in comparison to Villa’s 40 from 17.
And Emery is at the heart of it all. When he arrived in October 2022, Villa were battling relegation. Now they are among the best.
In the top five leagues of European football in 2025 — and excluding newly promoted teams — only Napoli remain unbeaten at home. Villa’s sole defeat — to Palace, of course — is what blots their card. The table below shows where Villa stand in comparison to Europe’s best this season.
Looking back on troubled times used to be a form of therapy. Now, however, it only enhances the feel-good factor. To make Villa Park one of the hardest stadiums to visit, while turning it into a money-spinning machine at the same time, will please the owners Nassef Sawiris and Edens.
Ticket pricing is still an issue, but that does not impact the attendance for a Premier League game — and as long as the team is winning, the demand will remain. Francesco Calvo, the president of business operations, has been working hard with supporters to address concerns and insists he will attend every Fan Advisory Board meeting.
It was not so long ago that you could feel the sense of faded glory at Villa Park. The North Stand was a mess, the hospitality sections had fallen way behind and there were leaks in the store room spilling onto club merchandise. Part of the iconic Holte End’s brilliance is its history and tradition, but there was no excuse for decrepit lounges and leaking toilets. The fan experience was dull. There was no fanzone and limited food options, but that has been addressed.
For the next home game against Manchester United, the club will “soft launch” the outdoor areas of The Warehouse — a new ‘plaza’ complex on the site nearby. It will include the largest beer hall in the Premier League and be fully operational by February.
Plans to increase the capacity from just under 43,000 to 50,000 when the North Stand is refurbished before Euro 2028 are underway. On and off the pitch, there is a lot to be positive about at Aston Villa.
