Two Decembers ago, Aston Villa beat Manchester City and Arsenal at home in the same week, and for a few thrilling days it felt like Villa really were in the title race with them.
On the Friday before Christmas, with a chance to go top, Villa were confounded by a stubborn Sheffield United side and the fever passed.
Last Sunday, Villa did not look anything special for long spells against Wolves.
The visitors showed the benefit of a full week with their new head coach, his organisation fresh in their minds.
But Villa found a way to win, and afterwards Unai Emery drew a relevant comparison.
“When we finished the first half in the dressing room we spoke about how the match was going,” he said. “Our experience here, for example last year against Ipswich Town, we draw here. Two years ago against Sheffield [United], we draw here…”
Like Sunday, both were games Villa were expected to win easily. The win over Wolves was hardly comfortable, and owed quite a lot to Emi Martinez, but Villa figured it out.
“The second half,” Emery continued. “I think we started strong. Pushing them, dominating better, getting in the box better than the first half. Not so clear chances, but we were there and we scored one goal and after it of course the match changed.”
Villa have reached fourth place after giving the field a month’s head start, and it still feels that they haven’t quite played to their potential.
This is the point where I think I am meant to remind you of the hot statistic of the week – the one about Villa scoring more often outside the box than in it – although I enjoyed reading it being artfully debunked by David Michael on this page this week.
The point is that the 2025 edition of Villa are winning games on the way to finding their best form. Those who ask whether their long-range method can be sustained should also ask how dangerous Villa might be if they fix the short-range chance problem first.
The difficulty of tonight’s game against Brighton should not be underestimated.
But Villa have won twice in three visits under Emery, and if they do so again they will be a maximum of six points behind when they face the leaders Arsenal on Saturday.
Villa and Emery would rightly play down this thought, but if you are within six of the leaders when they come to your fortified home ground, then for 90 minutes at least, you are legitimately in the title race.
Listen to full commentary of Brighton v Villa at 19:30 on Wednesday on BBC Radio WM (95.6FM)]
And tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights
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