Villa ´feeling the confidence again´ to start 2025

Aston Villa have got their confidence back after a tricky end to 2024, so says Unai Emery after his team overcame Premier League strugglers Leicester City.

Villa, who were looking for their first win in three matches following a defeat to Newcastle United and a draw against Brighton, had to rely on a 76th-minute goal from Leon Bailey to grab the three points on Saturday.

Ross Barkley’s opener in the 58th minute was cancelled out by Stephy Mavididi five minutes later as Leicester, who sit second-from-bottom, threatened to frustrate Villa, who had won only three of their previous 10 league games to close out 2024.

Villa are now on a 10-match unbeaten run in the league at Villa Park, winning six and drawing four of those games. Only Arsenal (12) are currently enjoying a longer unbeaten run at home in the Premier League, and Emery believes his team have got their vigour back on home soil.

“In the second half, we were getting better and creating chances, not very clear chances but enough to score the two goals like we did,” he told BBC Sport.

“That match with those three points is fantastic for us. We are starting the second half of the season winning here at home, and we are feeling the confidence again. Those three points are very important. We keep trying to get stronger.”

The Villa boss was without a number of key players, including injured Pau Torres and suspended duo Jhon Duran and Morgan Rogers for the contest.

“We have to be proud of how we are doing, with the difficulties,” Emery said.

“The difficulties today were that Leicester were performing well, and it is difficult to beat them.”

The home side had to wait until stoppage time of the first half to register their first shot on target through Matty Cash, but they put on a far-improved showing after the restart, attempting 10 shots, of which four were on target.

Premier League games in a row unbeaten at Villa Park pic.twitter.com/SQ1PtRJOdY

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 4, 2025

After their FA Cup third round tie against West Ham, Emery’s side will travel to Everton and Arsenal in their next league outings.

“Our challenge now is to play two away matches in a row. I hope we can get enough points to be in the top 10 or top eight,” Emery added.

They sit eighth in the table with 32 points from 20 matches and are only three points behind fifth-placed Newcastle.

Meanwhile, Leicester boss Ruud van Nistelrooy thought his team deserved more from the game.

“We were on course to get something out of this game,” he said.

“Overall, we controlled the game and didn’t give big chances away. That is why it is disappointing we didn’t take anything from this game. But we have to make sure we get these performances and convert them into points as well.”