The 2024-25 English Premier League season has started, which is good news for those eager to enjoy the best championship and relegation drama in world soccer.
Manchester City, coming off four consecutive league titles, aims to continue its dynasty. Meanwhile, Arsenal hopes to finally break through after two straight second-place finishes.
Burnley, Luton Town and Sheffield United were relegated after last season, a fate newly promoted Leicester, Ipswich Town and Southampton could face this season.
The Premier League is known for the unexpected. Here is a dark horse to win the league and one that could finish in the bottom three and get relegated:
Dark horse for the title: Aston Villa
Aston Villa finished fourth last season, its first top-four showing since 1983. In 2022-23, when it finished seventh, Aston Villa played poorly early, leading the club to fire manager Steven Gerrard and appoint former Arsenal and Villarreal boss Unai Emery.
The club hasn’t looked back since Emery’s arrival. In the 2023 calendar year, Aston Villa accumulated the most points in the Premier League besides Manchester City. Given the club’s upward trajectory over the past two seasons, it has emerged as the dark horse to take home the 2024-25 Premier League title.
