OFFICIAL: Aston Villa boss wins award for third time after overseeing five wins from six matches.
Unai Emery has been named the Manager of the Month for December, winning the award for the third time.
He steered Aston Villa to an impressive five wins from six games to close out 2025, with that form propelling the Villans firmly into Premier League title contention.
Villa's impressive month
Villa began the month by edging past Brighton & Hove Albion in a seven-goal thriller on the south coast, with Ollie Watkins scoring twice in a 4-3 win.
They followed that up with an impressive 2-1 victory over Arsenal, with Emiliano Buendia's winner in the fifth minute of added time sparking jubilant scenes at Villa Park.
Villa continued their habit of winning by a single goal in their next three matches, beating West Ham United 3-2, before edging out Manchester United and Chelsea with consecutive 2-1 scorelines.
A 4-1 defeat to Arsenal at Emirates Stadium on 30 December brought an abrupt end to Villa's eight-game winning sequence in the Premier League, but they have recovered well from that setback by taking four points from a possible six since the New Year to consolidate third place.
This is Emery's first Manager of the Month award since 2023 when he won it twice: in April and December.
He is one of five Villa managers or head coaches to be named Barclays Manager of the Month, while only Martin O'Neill (with four) has won it more times for the club than Emery's total of three.
Emery topped a four-man shortlist also featuring Mikel Arteta (Arsenal), Pep Guardiola (Manchester City) and Daniel Farke (Leeds United) after votes from fans were combined with those of a panel of experts.
2025/26 Manager of the Month winners
August: Arne Slot (Liverpool)
September: Oliver Glasner (Crystal Palace)
October: Ruben Amorim (Man Utd)
November: Enzo Maresca (Chelsea)
December: Unai Emery (Aston Villa)
Sabkmorsu
0
The most hated team in England by FA is Arsenal Fc, but the most liked team in the world is ARSENAL FC ( GUNNGERS)..You can witness this on how they appoint refrees whether the team is looking fr 3 points to mean the business
Sabkmorsu
0
yes he deserves it
Kooiknost
0
how can a manager topping the league table not winning it?? . English football always with drama
how do you remain top of the table without winning? Also there is no such thing as winning big or small team
domainrtz
0
how can a manager topping the league table not winning it?? . English football always with drama
it's not manager of the season but manager of the month the games played and success is what is measured not ur possition on the table both teams won 5 out of 6 games but Aston villa defeated arsenal and Chelsea which big name did arsenal win in December and remember both teams had the same wins and arsenal lost to villa let's not be biased bc it's our team
domainrtz
0
What criteria do they use for these awards? Arsenal played 7 games in December, won 6 and lost 1 to Aston villa, scored 15 goals and only conceded 6 goals.while Aston villa played 6 Epl games won 5, lost 1 to Arsenal, scored 14 goals and conceded 12 goals yet Unai was named December manager of the month.what a joke.
aston villa played more tough teams including Chelsea arsenal and arsenal lost to Aston villa in December remember
flourishdee
0
Well deserved
bucabimo
0
Nice π
Rmulbah1992
1
WELL DESERVED WINNER π
Sapbdlmpyz
1
congrats Emery you are a great coach you deserve it
AFeroiRt3214
0
Emery has been a great manager especially this season and he guides Aston Villa to 3 place. Maybe he can win EPL with Aston Villa a remarkable feat
Tobbclnpry
5
2 of the motm are sacked
Keyckmotz
2
Arteta dnt need manage of the month Rather manager of the year award
Fibdiklmsu
2
Well deserved
Barcelonakings
0
I think he won it because he defeated Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd.
He lost to arsenal 4-1
bodelorsz
3
well deserved
votdltuz
2
What criteria do they use for these awards? Arsenal played 7 games in December, won 6 and lost 1 to Aston villa, scored 15 goals and only conceded 6 goals.while Aston villa played 6 Epl games won 5, lost 1 to Arsenal, scored 14 goals and conceded 12 goals yet Unai was named December manager of the month.what a joke.
maybe the tough teams play against π€·ββοΈπ
Kooiknost
4
how can a manager topping the league table not winning it?? . English football always with drama
sibaknps
2
Pray for emery now make he no get sack letter this month
Wiwacdoruy
1
π€£these award are somehow compromised..that is why man u and Chelsea managers were sacked
Kepelmnruy
4
What criteria do they use for these awards? Arsenal played 7 games in December, won 6 and lost 1 to Aston villa, scored 15 goals and only conceded 6 goals.while Aston villa played 6 Epl games won 5, lost 1 to Arsenal, scored 14 goals and conceded 12 goals yet Unai was named December manager of the month.what a joke.
Wediorsuz
0
the level of hatred for arteta and ARSENAL is very alarming ooo
you guys talking about arteta ..look at pep he hasn't manag3 to win it then how could farteta?
Doyikrsuz
3
congrats coach
mesbekorst
2
Congratulations the manager Unai Emery βπ
Woecdnpz
2
is Mikel arteta managing in English League please?
Robbdirtu
3
the level of hatred for arteta and ARSENAL is very alarming ooo
viaacelors
0
man city man city u won because of 115 so pep doesn't deserve
micbmopty
0
Thats a good ebening
Abdul17241
0
what about Man city that won all the games in December?
π π€£ true oooo
Williamslad
1
well deserved.
Nicilmopy
1
so what ?
Joshy88
1
Well deserved ππ
Widbiltz
1
I have been saying United need to sign him up
so that you can destroy his career like other coaches you have. Your team will suffer
Widbiltz
1
what about the worst manager of the month- Slot
seycilouy
1
october & november managers of the month all sacked.
Roaringsteve
0
Well deserved
Viwcelmnyz
0
congratulations good ebening
neecstuy
0
well deserved, congrats
Footballlovers10
1
How does this panel work,Man city won all thier games in December and still Emery wins the award
opponent also matters... Which teams does Villa played with and Man City does?
BlessingsCo-operator
0
so they decided to not give Arteta,while Arsenal lost 1 game in December as well to Aston Villa at the same time beating Aston Villa the return leg heavily by 4-1,we know that It's Arsenal against the World
let us win the league so that our coach can win manager of the season all this is not important
licabdrsz
0
I have been saying United need to sign him up
ColinsGooner
0
so they decided to not give Arteta,while Arsenal lost 1 game in December as well to Aston Villa at the same time beating Aston Villa the return leg heavily by 4-1,we know that It's Arsenal against the World
maybe so,if it maters on the teams a team beats,but still Man city won all their games no draw no lose,
ColinsGooner
2
How does this panel work,Man city won all thier games in December and still Emery wins the award
danoni31
2
so they decided to not give Arteta,while Arsenal lost 1 game in December as well to Aston Villa at the same time beating Aston Villa the return leg heavily by 4-1,we know that It's Arsenal against the World
I think he won it because he defeated Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd.
danoni31
2
Congratulations to Emery. Out of the 5 previous winner, 2 had left their role as manager. I hope Emery won't follow their path.
Madness2
1
what about Man city that won all the games in December?
this award was voted most of the time by fans so City have not much fans as Villa I mean real fans
Ruacduyz
0
He deserved it, i hope he doesn't have bad luck like Marasca and Amorin
ColinsGooner
5
so they decided to not give Arteta,while Arsenal lost 1 game in December as well to Aston Villa at the same time beating Aston Villa the return leg heavily by 4-1,we know that It's Arsenal against the World
Peebenoty
1
wow so that's the next π³
Renbeituz
1
Some coaches win this and after start getting bad results.
Luycdemprs
3
Downfall for Villa for the next few games. That award is a curse. All the Managers to win it this season can attest. From Slot to Maresca