Aston Villa's 111-Year Record Rocks Premier League as Liverpool, Man Utd Face Injury Crisis

The Premier League title race has been thrown wide open. As traditional powerhouses falter with key injuries, a dark horse is rewriting a 111-year-old record, igniting a fierce battle for the top spot heading into the new year.

Villa's Rebellion Against 5% Odds

The team turning heads is Unai Emery’s Aston Villa. Currently third, Villa secured their 10th consecutive victory in all competitions with a 2-1 win against Manchester United—a feat they haven't achieved as a top-flight team since 1914. They now sit just three points behind leaders Arsenal.

At the heart of this surge is midfielder Morgan Rogers. After failing to register a goal involvement in his first seven matches, he has exploded with 11 in his last 15 appearances. He has been remarkably clinical, scoring seven league goals from an expected goals (xG) value of just 2.86. Yet, football analysts Opta give Villa just a five percent chance of becoming champions.

Liverpool and Man Utd Hobbled by Absences

Meanwhile, Liverpool and Manchester United are grappling with major personnel issues. Liverpool boss Arne Slot faces a striker crisis after Alexander Isak fractured his leg, sidelining him for at least two months. With Mohamed Salah away at the Africa Cup of Nations, the pressure mounts on top-scorer Hugo Ekitike to deliver.

United's situation is just as dire with the injury to captain Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder, who has five goals and seven assists this season, pulled up with a hamstring injury against Villa. Manager Ruben Amorim called him "impossible to replace" and has already ruled him out of the clash against Newcastle.