Aston Villa are charging into the Christmas period like a runaway sleigh, riding a remarkable 10-match winning streak in all competitions and daring to dream of the Premier League’s summit.

Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Manchester United—their seventh consecutive league win—left Unai Emery’s side just three points behind leaders Arsenal and one adrift of Manchester City. With 33 points taken from the last 36 available, Villa are not just in form; they are relentless.

At the helm is Emery, a manager well-versed in delivering silverware. Yet the numbers remain sceptical. According to Opta, Villa have just a 5.3% chance of winning the Premier League title, compared to 68.7% for Arsenal and 24.7% for City—a reminder of how steep the climb still appears.

Former Manchester United striker and Sky Sports pundit Wayne Rooney echoed that sentiment.

“They’re just not as good as Arsenal and Man City. They’re doing excellent, they’re doing great, but I just don’t feel they’re going to be in the title race.”

Rooney is far from alone in that view, but Villa’s form makes them increasingly difficult to dismiss. Stretch the winning run to 12 matches, and even the loudest sceptics may be left searching for counterarguments.

Despite failing to win any of their opening five league games, Villa now sit on 36 points from 17 matches, a testament to the momentum Emery has generated. That surge faces its sternest examination yet, with trips to fourth-placed Chelsea on Saturday followed by leaders Arsenal three days later.

The challenge is formidable—but confidence is sky-high. Morgan Rogers, who scored both goals against United, insists Villa fear no one.

“We’re all confident in each other, the manager’s confident in us and we go out there feeling like we’re going to win every game,” the England international said.

History, however, offers caution. Villa had two more points at this stage last season before fading to fourth, while Arsenal and City possess far greater experience of navigating title races. Even so, neither will relish facing a Villa side playing with belief and freedom.

Earlier in the campaign, when City and Liverpool faltered, Arsenal seized control and looked overwhelming favourites to end their long wait for a title. They remain top, but signs of tension are creeping in. The fact Arsenal have been top of the league at Christmas four times without lifting the trophy will not be lost on Mikel Arteta.

The Gunners host Brighton on Saturday, then face Villa, before completing their festive schedule away at Bournemouth.

Manchester City, meanwhile, appear to have rediscovered their rhythm, boasting seven straight wins in all competitions. Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Nottingham Forest, then Sunderland on New Year’s Day, before hosting Chelsea on January 4.

Guardiola, keen to avoid another mid-season wobble, issued a typically blunt festive warning to his players.

“They come back on the 25th and I will be there controlling how many kilos come up—(to see if) they come fatty,” he said.

At the opposite end of the table, Wolverhampton Wanderers supporters are hoping for something far simpler this Christmas: a win.

Wolves remain winless after 17 games, sitting on just two points, the worst start in English league history. Even surpassing Derby County’s infamous 11-point season in 2007-08 is no certainty, and festive trips to Liverpool and Manchester United offer little encouragement. A home match against 18th-placed West Ham in early January may represent their best chance of respite.

Unusually, there is only one Premier League fixture on Boxing Day this season—Manchester United versus Newcastle United. But once that whistle blows, the matches arrive thick and fast in a dizzying run that could reshape the Premier League landscape heading into the New Year.

For Aston Villa, the next seven days may determine whether this runaway sleigh stays on course—or finally meets resistance.