Aston Villa FC crest

Aston Villa FC

Manager: Unai Emery · Villa Park · Founded 1872 · Claret / Sky Blue

Survivor safety

74

Solid pick

Unbeaten at home

60%

5 games

Unbeaten away

75%

4 games

The manager and the style of play

Unai Emery, manager of Aston Villa FC

Manager

Unai Emery

In charge since November 2022

Emery's Villa defend in a disciplined mid-block with a famously high line designed to spring the offside trap, then build patiently before attacking quickly down the flanks.

Villa won the 2025/26 Europa League, ending a 30-year wait for a major trophy, and carry that momentum into the new season.

Source: bbc.com · reviewed 5 September 2026

Are Aston Villa FC a safe survivor pick?

Across the last 3 Premier League seasons — 2025/26 (4th), 2024/25 (6th), 2023/24 (4th) — Aston Villa FC avoided defeat in 73% of their league games. That is the baseline a survivor player should start from before looking at this week's fixture.

This season they have played 9, winning 3, drawing 3 and losing 3, with 10 scored and 13 conceded. At home they are 1-2-2; away from home 2-1-1.

Unusually, they have travelled better — unbeaten in 75% away versus 60% at home — so don't discount them on the road.

Recent form reads W-D-W-W-D (oldest first), meaning they have come through 100% of their last 5 matches without losing.

League record by season

SeasonLeagueFinishPWDLPtsNot lost
2025/26Premier League4th38198116571%
2024/25Premier League6th38199106674%
2023/24Premier League4th38208106874%

Recent results

  • Aston Villa FC 1–1 Fulham FCGW9
  • Aston Villa FC 2–1 Manchester City FCGW8
  • Newcastle United FC 0–1 Aston Villa FCGW7
  • Aston Villa FC 2–2 Brentford FCGW6
  • Tottenham Hotspur FC 2–3 Aston Villa FCGW5

Next fixtures

  • Away vs Manchester United FCGW10 ·
  • Home vs Sunderland AFCGW11 ·
  • Away vs Ipswich Town FCGW12 ·
  • Home vs Everton FCGW13 ·
  • Home vs Crystal Palace FCGW14 ·

Current squad

Goalkeeper

  • Marco BizotNetherlands
  • Zion SuzukiJapan

Defence

  • Victor Nilsson-LindelöfSweden
  • Aaron Wan-BissakaCongo DR
  • Tyrone MingsEngland
  • Matty CashPoland
  • Pau TorresSpain
  • Taylor Harwood-BellisEngland
  • Ian MaatsenNetherlands
  • Matteo RuggeriItaly
  • Modou Keba CisseSenegal

Midfield

  • Leon GoretzkaGermany
  • Ross BarkleyEngland
  • Boubacar KamaraFrance
  • Emiliano BuendíaArgentina
  • John McGinnScotland
  • Amadou OnanaBelgium
  • João GomesBrazil
  • Lamare BogardeNetherlands
  • Johan ManzambiSwitzerland

Offence

  • Tammy AbrahamEngland
  • Nicolas JacksonSenegal
  • Alejandro GarnachoArgentina
  • AlyssonBrazil
  • Ibrahim M'BayeSenegal
  • Brian MadjoLuxembourg
  • George HemmingsEngland

Ratings update after every result. See this week's safest picks, the full fixture list , browse all team guides or read the last man standing rules. Picks lock Fri 6 Nov, 20:00.