The Totally Football Show with James Richardson Can Chelsea topple red-hot Villa? Can Man Utd function without Bruno?
Dec 24, 2025
Jacob Tanswell, a Birmingham-based football reporter focused on Aston Villa, shares insights into Villa’s impressive winning streak and their potential title challenge. He discusses the club’s revival under Unai Emery and the importance of upcoming fixtures. Meanwhile, Mahir Mezahi, an AFCON correspondent in Morocco, covers the tournament's opening days, highlighting standout moments, including Mo Salah's late heroics for Egypt and a sensational overhead kick from Morocco's Carby. The podcast captures the excitement surrounding both Premier League and international football.
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United's Bruno Problem And Defensive Paradox
- Manchester United look more solid defensively in shots conceded but concede high-quality chances leading to goals.
- Bruno Fernandes' absence forces tactical tweaks and could make United more stable but less creative.
City's Fresh Free-Flowing Attack
- Manchester City play more free-flowing football recently with Ryan Gravenberch and Phil Foden linking well.
- Pep can now deploy both players, giving City more attacking variety behind Haaland.
Villa's Run Outperforms Underlying Numbers
- Aston Villa's winning run masks low underlying goal output and limited summer recruitment.
- Jacob Tanswell warns Villa are contenders but likely lack depth to sustain a full title charge.