Could Aston Villa, Lens, Hearts or Villarreal win the league?
Across Europe, several clubs who rarely get invited into title conversations are either leading or close enough to matter deep into February: Aston Villa, Lens, Hearts and Villarreal. Their situations are not identical. Hearts are protecting a lead in a league built around two giants. Lens are staring down PSG with only a sliver between them. Villa are chasing in a Premier League where the front runners have shown vulnerabilities. Villarreal are trying to push past Barcelona and Real Madrid in a league that often keeps the crown between two heads.
So can any of them actually do it? Yes. But each path looks different.
So, what’s in store for these potential title-grabbing underdogs?
Aston Villa: the chasers with the best late-game habits
Villa sit in the upper reaches of the Premier League table, ten points off Arsenal with a game in hand, and remain attached to the title conversation because of how they win points. They have turned late goals and comebacks into a season-long pattern rather than occasional drama.
Squad depth has also improved. January additions like Tammy Abraham and Douglas Luiz have broadened Emery’s options, which matters when the schedule compresses and opponents grow more cautious. Villa are less reliant on a single route to goal than earlier in the campaign.
Key figures define the shape. Ollie Watkins stretches defences and opens space for runners. Morgan Rogers has added goals, eight of them to be precise, and movement between lines. Emiliano Martínez remains a goalkeeper capable of turning tight matches. Amadou Onana sets the competitive tone in midfield, especially in games that demand second-ball dominance rather than aesthetic control.
🟣🔴 Aston Villa and Liverpool are both monitoring Tottenham midfielder Lucas Bergvall!
— 365Scores (@365Scores) February 21, 2026
The highly rated youngster is being targeted with a simple pitch: Champions League football next season.
Spurs could face a summer exodus — and Bergvall may be one to watch. 👀 pic.twitter.com/V1lr62BBbV
Lens: two points off PSG and built to disrupt power
Lens are not outsiders in their own league table. They are right beside PSG, combining attacking production with defensive reliability. Their numbers resemble those of a champion: strong scoring, relatively low concessions, and week-to-week consistency. I saw it myself first-hand last week. At Stade Jean-Bouin in the leafy Western suburbs of Paris, Lens obliterated Paris FC. Their intricate box movements and trickery in the final third was too much for the newly promoted side to handle and a 0-5 win away from home propelled them to the top of the table.
Yet, a single collapse can shift momentum. Lens recently experienced that kind of swing when a winning position turned into defeat against Monaco, reminding them that margins against elite opposition are thin. The positive is that the standings remain tight. The race is still theirs to shape.
Pierre Sage’s side has leaned on collective function rather than a single star surge. Wesley Saïd has delivered goals at key moments. Odsonne Édouard and Florian Thauvin provide variety across the front line. The midfield presses in layers and then slows matches once ahead, an important skill against teams who rely on transitions.
PSG can survive chaotic games because their talent often wins the chaos. Lens need matches played on their terms: high pressure early, structured defending once leading. The fixture to watch will be on April 12th. PSG head to Northern France to face Lens. That could well be the title decider.
Hearts: top of Scotland and guarding the advantage that counts
Hearts have placed themselves in the strongest position of the four by leading the Scottish Premiership. In a competition historically dominated by Celtic and Rangers, that alone reframes the season.
Their platform is built on home authority and efficient scoring. Tynecastle has been a steady source of points, and Hearts have paired that with enough goals to separate from the chasing pair. Goal difference and consistency both resemble a side capable of sustaining a lead.
Lawrence Shankland has led the scoring, supported by Cláudio Braga’s contributions in attack. Alexander Schwolow has added security in goal, especially in matches where Hearts defend narrow advantages. The broader squad has supplied depth and late-game energy, the quieter ingredients of a title push.
Not spoken about enough… ❤️ pic.twitter.com/B7sKEUPrjh
— Heart of Midlothian FC Goals (@HeartsGoals) February 16, 2026
Villarreal: I might be reaching here… but there is a chance
Villarreal occupy the familiar territory of LaLiga’s third force, but this season the gap to Barcelona and Real Madrid is not yet insurmountable. It’s ten points. Their league profile is strong: positive goal difference, reliable scoring, and the ability to dominate lesser sides.
The challenge is structural. Spanish titles usually require sustained excellence well beyond 80 points. Villarreal must be near flawless while hoping both leaders drop enough matches to open the door. That combination is rare, but not impossible when a chasing team finds extended momentum.
Alberto Moleiro has been central to their attacking output. Gerard Moreno remains the reference point for finishing and intelligent movement in big matches. Villarreal’s best performances come when their midfield controls tempo, forcing opponents to defend long phases rather than trading transitions.
FAQs
Are any of these teams favourites to win their league?
Hearts are best placed because they lead their table. Lens are closest to their main rival on points. Villa and Villarreal are chasing stronger incumbents.
Who has the hardest route?
Villarreal, because catching both Barcelona and Real Madrid typically requires near-perfect form across the run-in.
Which team has the clearest recipe for success?
Hearts: protect home dominance, reach the split on top, and manage pressure in the final phase.
Can Aston Villa realistically win the Premier League from a chasing position?
It is difficult, but sustained wins and strong results in direct clashes can keep them alive deep into spring.
What is the biggest risk for Lens?
Short defensive lapses turning into dropped points. Against PSG, even small swings can decide the title race.
By Nicky Helfgott – NickyHelfgott1 on X (Twitter)
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