Aston Villa have surged nine places to tenth in the latest Premier League power rankings. The climb reflects a clear turnaround from the club's early season difficulties, which have left them 12th in the Premier League with eight points from two wins, two draws and three losses.

The improvement comes after Villa secured their first league win of the campaign, a 1-0 victory away at Newcastle United last Saturday. That result, sealed by a Johan Manzambi goal, has helped the team start to dig out of their early season woes. They have added another win to their tally after a poor start and are now expected to continue climbing the rankings in the coming weeks before hitting a period of consistency. Their overall league record shows seven goals scored and eleven conceded.

In the current rankings, Aston Villa are positioned in the midtable energy section where fine margins make a difference. They sit below the established top six but above clubs like Bournemouth and Fulham. This rise is a direct result of their improved on-pitch form.

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Aston Villa's league position provides the full picture of their season so far. They currently sit 12th in the Premier League table with eight points from seven matches. Their recent form, however, tells a more positive story. Unai Emery's side are on a two-game winning run in all competitions, having also thrashed Fenerbahçe 6-0 in the Europa Conference League. Their overall record across the last five games is four wins and one draw, a sequence that includes a 3-1 win at Sevilla and a 3-2 victory at Tottenham.

This upturn has been powered by key contributions. Manzambi scored the winner against Newcastle, while Nicolas Jackson and Ross Barkley were on target in the European rout. Barkley scored twice in that 6-0 win, including one from the penalty spot, and Jackson also netted a brace. The team has scored seven league goals but conceded 11, leaving them with a goal difference of minus four. They are 13 points behind the league leaders, who happen to be their next opponents.

Aston Villa face a stern immediate test of their progress this Saturday when they host Manchester City at Villa Park. City currently sit first in the standings, making this a formidable challenge. A positive result would further cement Villa's status as a team on the rise.

This story first appeared at CBS Sports