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Is this the year for Aston Villa's year?

Nine consecutive victories in every match - closing in on the club record of 11 achieved back in 1897 - have catapulted Unai Emery's side into title contention.

This impressive streak has come following Villa failed to win any of their opening five Premier League matches and went longer than.

They host Manchester United on Sunday before playing away at Chelsea and playing leaders Arsenal to end the calendar year - three games which could define their potential to be spoilers or champions.

Villa have not lifted significant silverware since winning the League Cup in 1996 but, currently placed third in both the Premier League and Europa League, their drought could finally end in spectacular style.

Avoiding the Spotlight

Unai Emery refuses to yield to any public calls to declare Villa are in the title race.

However, the statistics paint a clear picture, as their only Premier League defeat since August came against Liverpool in October, and from that point Villa have won six straight top-flight games.

Last Sunday's dramatic 3-2 recovery over West Ham epitomised the strength of his side and the positive energy they now possess.

"We are not feeling under pressure, we are driven by ambition and we try to be competitive in Europe and in the Premier League," Emery said. "Enjoy each match, try to prepare then rest. The players must feel comfortable doing it."

Emery has been cautious to steer clear of any unnecessary focus on his Villa players. After all, they are attracting plenty of plaudits through their excellent results.

Turning the Season Around

That present run is in stark contrast to a start of the season in which they were without a victory after their six opening games, including a Carabao Cup loss to Brentford, and did not even register a league goal until a 1-1 draw at Sunderland on 21 September.

The squad held a meeting to evaluate their poor opening and plan how to return to form. There was a acknowledgement there had been a lingering effect from failing to qualify for the Champions League.

Villa came sixth last season and failed to reach the top five on goal difference following a contentious loss by Manchester United on the final day.

Since the draw at the Stadium of Light they have secured 15 victories in 17 matches, which includes beating Manchester City 1-0 and this month's nail-biting 2-1 triumph over Arsenal.

There has also been gradual change, not upheaval under Emery, as seven first-teamers who played in the head coach's first match - a 3-1 victory against United in November 2022 - continue to be important now.

Learning from Past Campaigns

"The last year is an example and it's an experience for us. Sometimes we were doing a good job, we were meeting our targets, but maybe if we were getting our demands higher, maybe even we could achieve even greater things," Emery stated.

He added, "This is the third year I am here, I am highly motivated, but [also] holding higher standards than when I first came. My objective has plenty of areas to improve."

A Trophy Drought

The last time Villa claimed a significant honour - beating Leeds 3-0 in the League Cup - feels like a different era.

It has been a long wait since, with Villa losing two FA Cup finals and two League Cup finals over the years.

Emery, a Europa League winner with Sevilla and Villarreal, stated on his arrival that the primary objective was to win a trophy. Last season's FA Cup semi-final defeat remains painful.

A Europa Conference League semi-final defeat 18 months ago and a thrilling Champions League quarter-final exit last April indicate they are moving in the right direction.

"Every time we go into a big game now, we have that drive in the back of our heads to demonstrate this team we have constructed over the past five or six years is worth more than a quarter-final, worth more than a semi-final," captain John McGinn told reporters. "The determination, I can feel it this year."

The critical period begins now, with Villa poised to discover if they are destined to be champions or merely kingmakers in the championship battle.