Those early days of difficult results domestically are long and truly behind us now. Our 7th straight win, that dramatic last gasp 2-1 win over Arsenal thanks to goals from Matty Cash and Emi Buendia, really has us dreaming. Just 3 points off the top of the table and some talk of a title challenge, although a bit too early to say in my opinion. And Mr’s too, he says he’ll talk about it when we’ve played 35 games…

Now we look for our 8th straight win in all competitions as we return to Europe for a final time in 2025. We go away to Swiss side Basel looking for a win that would probably just about cement a place in the top 8 of the league stage and put us straight in to the last 16.

Our last game in the Europa League saw us win 2-1 against another Swiss side Young Boys with Donyell Malen scoring a double to continue his impressive form. This has put us in 3rd place with 12 points, just behind Lyon and Midtiylland on goal difference.

Basel, a side rich in European experience, have found the going tough so far and are in 24th place, with 6 points out of 15.

Their two wins however have come at home, with a 2-0 victory over Stuttgart and 3-1 success over FCSB. This will be a tough challenge for Villa, who have won one and lost one away in Europa League, with both games being in Holland.

Kick off is at 8pm and we will be looking to continue our impressive form in the league, which have seen us win all 5 games after European matches.

This next one afterwards will be away for the first time however, as we travel to West Ham United on Sunday. We then have tough games at home to Manchester United and away trips in London to Chelsea and Arsenal respectively to conclude 2025.

It has been a memorable year for us domestically and in Europe too, let’s go out with a bang. Can we win some silverware in 2026, the first time for 30 years? Believe and Up The Villa!