Our latest Premier League Team of the Week is in, featuring names from Leeds United, Newcastle and Aston Villa.
Goalkeeper: Robert Sanchez – Chelsea
Important as Chelsea came under huge pressure at Newcastle, with the Spaniard’s shot-stopping ensuring the game did not get away from Enzo Maresca’s side. Also helped lead the fightback, registering the assist with a long pass forward for Joao Pedro’s equaliser.
Right-back: Lewis Miley – Newcastle
Lewis Miley is playing out of position like he’s been there all his life. The teenager was terrific in his side’s draw with Chelsea, dealing with the threat of Alejandro Garnacho’s directness impressively.
Miley is a fantastic all-round footballer and could be a late bolter for Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad.
Centre-back: Dan Ballard – Sunderland
Ballard is growing and growing as a Premier League player. Amid Sunderland’s raft of new signings, you might have been forgiven for thinking Ballard might be the man to make away.
Instead, the 26-year-old has been a rock. He was immense in the goalless draw at Brighton, with six clearances and 12 defensive duels won.
Immense once again from Big Dan Ballard 💪 pic.twitter.com/yo5u1wkEnm
— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) December 21, 2025
Centre-back: Jaka Bijol – Leeds United
A real weapon in both boxes for Leeds. The Slovenian centre-back has been brilliant as part of Daniel Farke’s back three and produced another dominant performance this weekend. He won six aerial duels and added an assist after meeting a set piece to flick on for Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Left-back: Gabriel Gudmundsson – Leeds United
Always a threat down the Leeds left, bringing the boundless energy that has been a feature since his summer arrival from Lille. Leeds did some impressive business in the summer, and the signing of the Swede was right among their best.
Midfield: Ethan Ampadu – Leeds United
A real top performance from Ampadu as Leeds crushed Crystal Palace at Elland Road. The Welshman won the ball well, snapped into challenge (6/7 ground duels won), and even popped up with a rare goal. His long throws were an issue for a panicked Palace penalty box all game.
Midfield: Morgan Rogers – Aston Villa
Aston Villa’s match-winner. Unai Emery’s team were not at their best against Manchester United, but two moments of magic from Rogers ensured Villa celebrate Christmas just three points from the top of the table.
Leny Yoro was ruthlessly punished for allowing Rogers the time and room to move inside and shoot for the opener, before the midfielder fired in another fantastic finish past Senne Lammens.
2 – Morgan Rogers is the first Aston Villa player to score 2+ goals in back-to-back Premier League appearances since Dion Dublin in November 1998 (3 in a row). Cold. pic.twitter.com/nFhLeaLwao
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 21, 2025
Right-wing: Keane Lewis-Potter – Brentford
Tested Jose Sa with an early effort, before finding the target twice as Brentford won at Wolves. Lewis-Potter reaped the reward for his effort, capitalising on a defensive mix-up to fire the visitors ahead, before sealing the win with a second on the stretch.
Having featured predominantly at left-back this season, Lewis-Potter showed what he can do from the right wing this weekend. That kind of adaptability is priceless.
🔓 Keane Lewis-Potter getting things started pic.twitter.com/28ykIbxo6f
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) December 20, 2025
Left-wing: Rayan Cherki – Manchester City
Just magic. Is there a better footballer to watch in the Premier League right now? Almost everything good for Manchester City against West Ham had Cherki central to it, with the Frenchman’s fleet feet and creativity all on show at the Etihad.
He fashioned three big chances and had the Etihad applauding on multiple occasions. A showman who is settling in nicely in Pep Guardiola’s side.
Forward: Erling Haaland – Manchester City
Erling Haaland’s absurd goal record has become the norm, but it shouldn’t warrant any less attention. A ruthless brace and assist helped Manchester City sink West Ham and saw Haaland extend his record to 19 league goals before Christmas and counting.
For context, that return would have been enough to win the Golden Boot in three previous Premier League campaigns.
🤖🤖🤖 pic.twitter.com/TAaGLRTv1G
— Erling Haaland (@ErlingHaaland) December 20, 2025
Forward: Dominic Calvert-Lewin – Leeds United
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s Remontada continues. The 28-year-old struck for the fifth straight game, netting a brace as Leeds pulled clear of the bottom three by beating Crystal Palace.
It’s seven for the season for Calvert-Lewin, more than double the haul he managed at Everton last season. Daniel Farke even believes the forward can gatecrash England’s World Cup squad.
Read – The longest winless runs in the history of the Premier League
See more – Where every team top of the Premier League at Christmas finished the season
