Hangover to title hopefuls: how Aston Villa built their Premier League charge

After a slow start to the season, Aston Villa's turnaround has been remarkable. They've won 14 of their last 16 games, including nine wins from 10 in the Premier League

Emi Buendía has been outstanding since returning to the Aston Villa first XI. Pic: Nick Potts/PA Wire.

Funny how quickly things can change. At the end of a difficult summer when financial realities bit hard, Unai Emery raised eyebrows by insisting that Aston Villa would not be contenders to finish in the top seven.

“We are starting more or less like when I arrived here,” he said the day before Villa sold Jacob Ramsey, a prized academy asset, to Newcastle United for £40m so they could satisfy profit and sustainability regulations and drew 0-0 with them at home.