The Athletic FC Podcast

After beating Man City on Wednesday night, Aston Villa backed that up against Arsenal on Saturday, seeing off Mikel Arteta's side 1-0 at Villa Park.Having won 15 games in a row at home, Unai Emery has now taken Villa to within two points of the Premier League summit.So what is possible for Aston Villa this season and should they be considered title contenders?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Football Correspondent David Ornstein, Aston Villa writer Jacob Tanswell and Data Writer Thom Harris to discuss Villa's remarkable transformation under Emery.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead***• Make time to chill this holiday season and reach for the beer that’s Made to Chill. Get Coors Light delivered straight to your door with Drizly or Instacart by going to coorslight.com/athleticfootball• This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/ATHLETICFOOTBALLand get on your way to being your best self Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Leventhal returns to preview Matchweek 16 of the Premier League!The weekend is headlined by a clash between table-topping Arsenal and surprise-package Aston Villa. Can Villa extend their winning run at home to 15 games?Then we ask what's going wrong at Manchester City? The Champions are without a win in four matches and have only managed three in their last nine. And finally it's a tour of some other interesting storylines - will Manchester United continue their mini-renaissance vs Bournemouth? Will Steve Cooper still have a job by Monday? And how high can Everton climb even with their points penalty? Host: Adam LeventhalGuests: Joey D'Urso, Oli KayProducer: John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Manchester City fell to defeat at Villa Park on Wednesday night, Pep Guardiola's side slipped to fourth in the Premier League and six points off pace-setters Arsenal.So what is going wrong at City, is it a glitch in the matrix or are their problems more serious?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic's Mark Critchley, Pol Ballus and Thom Harris to explore and examine City's winless run as it stretched to four games in the Premier League.Produced by Guy ClarkeAdditional Production by Mike StavrouExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite a 5-0 win over Sheffield United on the weekend, Vincent Kompany’s Burnley were beaten again this week & remain in Premier League relegation zone...Kompany has revolutionised their playing style, but does a ‘stubborn’ commitment to one way of playing hold back too many managers in the Premier league?Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Tim Spiers, Andy Jones and journalist and former Arsenal midfielder Adrian Clarke to discuss.Produced by Adonis PratsidesExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this exclusive interview for The Athletic, Arsenal and Italy midfielder Jorginho joins host Ayo Akinwolere, to talk about the Gunners' Premier League title charge, 'misunderstood' Kai Havertz and more...What's it really like to play for Mikel Arteta and why deep-lying central midfielders have become so expensive in the transfer market.Jorginho also opens up about the abuse he's suffered having missed penalties for Italy, why dual-nationality can be a gift and a curse in football, and working his way back into the squad for Euro 2024.Plus, if Bukayo Saka is playing too much football and his work to help young players manage their money better.Jorginho is founding Investor and Ambassador at GatherProduced by Adonis PratsidesExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Trent Alexander-Arnold is flying in the Premier League…A year on from playing a bit-part role in Qatar and struggling for form at home, Trent is now excelling for club & country in a bespoke hybrid role..So is unlocking his immense talent the key to Liverpool’s title challenge & has he finally convinced Gareth Southghate that he has to find a starting place for him for England..Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Liverpool writer James Pearce, Senior Football writer Oli Kay and Data Analyst Mark Carey.Produced by Guy ClarkeExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adam Leventhal hosts Luke Bosher, Tim Spiers, and Nick Miller to preview matchweek 14 in the Premier League. First on the docket is the Man City vs Tottenham, with the away side looking to live up to their reputation as the champion's 'bogey team', with Spurs having won 5 of the last 7 matchups. Then it's a trip to Tyneside for Newcastle vs Man United. With both teams having had emotionally exhausting midweek games, who will come out on top?And there's also time for a discussion of basement battle Burnley vs Sheffield United, league leaders Arsenal vs Wolves, and Chelsea vs Brighton. Producer: John Rogers Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bottom of the group having conceded 14 goals in only 5 group stage games, Man United now stand on the brink of Champions League elimination...But despite some costly individual errors, is it really all goalkeeper Andre Onana’s fault?  Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s Adam Crafton, Man United writer Carl Anka and our Italian football writer James Horncastle.Produced by Adonis PratsidesExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The lure of Real Madrid has proven almost irresistible to the world’s best players and coaches for decades...Success feels like a virtual guarantee these days with Jude Bellingham at the heart of one of the most exciting young teams on earth - So why would anyone want to leave?The Soap Opera of ‘Don’ Carlo Ancelotti’s future continues…Ayo Akinwolere is joined by he Athletic’s Real Madrid correspondent Mario Cortegana Santos and La Liga writer Dermot CorriganProduced by Adonis PratsidesAdditional Production: Mike StavrouExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eddie Howe has questioned why all the focus seemed to be on Newcastle, following the Premier Leagues effort to block ‘related-party loans’…So are they actually going to sign Ruben Neves in January? Or anyone else from the Saudi Pro League for that matter? And why is the richest club in the world, turning to a 17 year-old midfielder amid an injury crisis? Ayo Akinwolere is joined by The Athletic’s David Ornstein, plus Jacob Whitehead & Chris Waugh.Produced by Adonis Pratsides & Mike StavrouExecutive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.