Explained: How Unai Emery's Aston Villa would break 48-year-old club record by beating Tottenham

Last weekend’s 1-0 win at Bournemouth was the 31st of the season in all competitions for Unai Emery’s team, equalling the most ever in a top-flight campaign.

The mark was previously reached in 1976/77 when the side managed by Ron Saunders and spearheaded by Brian Little and Andy Gray in attack finished fourth in the league and won the League Cup.

While Emery’s charges might not be adding to the trophy cabinet this year, beating Spurs or Manchester United on the final day of the season would see them claim the total wins in a top flight campaign record outright.

They have already reached the mark of 31 wins a game quicker than Saunders’ team, who beat Albion 4-0 in their 56th and final match of the 1976/77 term.

Only twice in their history have Villa won more matches in a season than the current campaign, with both coming earlier in the 1970s.

Saunders, who replaced Vic Crowe as manager in 1974, led his team to 33 wins in his first season in charge on route to winning promotion from the Second Division behind champions Manchester United.

It is Crowe, however, who holds the outright record for total wins in a single campaign, with Villa winning 35 times in 1971/72 to claim the Third Division title with what was then also a record points haul.

Emery has already set a number of records since taking charge of Villa two-and-a-half years ago. 

Victory over Tottenham would also see his team set a new benchmark of 18 home Premier League matches unbeaten. Their only top flight defeat this season came in the opening home match against Arsenal last August, when they were beaten 2-0.

The 1-0 win over Fulham earlier this month equalled the previous mark already held by Emery’s men after they went 17 matches without losing between March 2023 and January last year, a run which also included a club record 15 straight home league wins.

Friday’s match will also be Emery’s 100th in charge of Villa in the Premier League and he will be targeting a 54th win. Only Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City have picked up more points since he took charge. 

Villa are aiming for a fifth straight home league win, though Tottenham are the only team with the potential to do the “league double” over Emery’s men, after winning the reverse fixture 4-1 in north London in November.

Emery has previously described the need for Villa Park to be a “fortress” as his team, who sat 10th in the table after losing 4-1 at Crystal Palace in February, try and chase down the top five.

He said: “We are feeling so, so strong (at home). We are feeling comfortable and strong with confidence. 

“We are transmitting our fans their wishes. They are helping us. Here at Villa Park we can feel that this is our fortress. The supporters always help us.”