The final week of 2025 has provided a fascinating contrast between the clinical efficiency of the Premier League’s form teams and the unpredictable drama of the Africa Cup of Nations. As we head into the new year, the landscape of world football is being reshaped by historic winning streaks and a shifting balance of power on the continent. Here are the five key takeaways from the action.
1. Aston Villa are Not Slowing Down
Any lingering doubts about Aston Villa’s staying power have been silenced. Unai Emery’s side has navigated the grueling festive period with a level of perfection rarely seen in the modern era, extending their Premier League winning streak to a staggering 11 matches. This isn’t just a purple patch anymore, it is a sustained display of tactical discipline and clinical execution. By maintaining this record-breaking run, Villa have moved beyond being “top-four contenders” to becoming real title contenders , setting a pace that the traditional giants are struggling to replicate.
2. Rayan Cherki is Making Man City Look Title-Ready
It isn’t a “mid-season resurgence” for Manchester City as much as it is a team finally looking fully prepared for the brutality of a title race. While Erling Haaland and Phil Foden remain the primary threats, Rayan Cherki has emerged as the creative heartbeat of this side. He is currently taking the Premier League by storm, providing the technical “X-factor” that has bridged the gap between City’s dominance and their clinical edge. With Cherki, Foden, and Haaland at the heart of their attack, City look more “ready” for title contention than at any other point this season, possessing a creative fluidity that makes them almost impossible to defend.
3. Ademola Lookman Loves Playing At AFCON
As the Africa Cup of Nations reaches its most intense phase, Ademola Lookman has reinforced his status as Nigeria’s most indispensable asset. His performances over the last two tournaments have been nothing short of legendary; he officially holds the record for the most goals and assists (G/A) across the last two AFCONs with 8. Lookman has a unique ability to find another gear when wearing the Super Eagles shirt, combining his Serie A clinical edge with a deep understanding of the continental game. His statistical dominance makes him the most feared attacker in the competition and one of the primary reasons for Nigeria’s confidence.
4. There is no easy match at AFCON
The opening rounds of AFCON 2025 have provided a harsh reality check for the tournament’s heavyweights. The era of the “Goliath” strolling through the group stages is over, as evidenced by Morocco and Senegal both being held to frustrating draws this week. These results weren’t fluke occurrences but rather proof of the rising tactical sophistication across the continent. With lower-ranked nations now boasting organized defenses and disciplined structures, there are no longer any “free points” in African football. Every goal and every point now requires a level of intensity that many of the favorites were seemingly unprepared for.
5. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is Chasing Premier League History
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is currently in the form of his life, and the statistics back it up. The Everton striker has now scored in six consecutive Premier League matches, a feat that has completely revitalized the Toffees’ season. This clinical run has placed him on a collision course with history, as he begins to chase down Jamie Vardy’s legendary record of scoring in 11 consecutive Premier League games. Free from injury and playing with a renewed physical presence, Calvert-Lewin has become the league’s most in-form traditional “Number Nine,” proving that when he is at his peak, he is virtually unplayable in the air and on the ground.
As we turn the page to 2026, the narratives are set: a historic title race in England involving a record-breaking Villa and a Cherki-inspired City, balanced against the ruthless parity of an AFCON that refuses to respect reputations.
