Aston Villa’s relentless march toward the summit of English football has been officially recognized. On Friday, January 9, 2026, the Premier League confirmed that Unai Emery has been named the Barclays Manager of the Month for December 2025.
Beating out heavyweights like Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta, Emery secures the award after a month that saw Aston Villa go from "top-four hopefuls" to genuine title contenders.
A December to Remember: The Stats Behind the Win
Villa’s December schedule was a "gauntlet" of elite opposition, yet Emery’s tactical flexibility allowed his side to emerge nearly unscathed.
The Highlight Win: A clinical 2–1 victory over Arsenal at Villa Park early in the month set the tone, snapping the Gunners' winning streak and proving Villa could out-maneuver the league leaders.
The "Bridge" Comeback: On December 27, Villa trailed Chelsea 1–0 at half-time before an inspired tactical shift from Emery saw Ollie Watkins net a second-half brace to secure a 2–1 win.
The Record: Under Emery’s guidance, Villa equaled a club record for 11 consecutive victories during the month (stretching back into November), a feat not achieved by the club since 1914.
The "Emery Effect"
Since his arrival, Emery has transformed Villa Park into a fortress. This is his third Manager of the Month award with the club, placing him behind only Martin O'Neill in Villa history.
Unai Emery on the award: "I am very proud, but this is for the players and the staff. We are being consistent, we are being demanding, and we are showing that we can compete with the best in the world. But we must stay humble; January is just as important."
The Verdict: While Mikel Arteta stayed top of the table, Emery’s ability to navigate a brutal injury list while maintaining an 11-game winning streak made him the undeniable choice for December.