The Premier League has revealed its Player and Manager of the Month awards for December 2025, with Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Aston Villa manager Unai Emery taking the honours.
Calvert-Lewin played a pivotal role in Leeds’ revival during the festive period. The Yorkshire side, initially mired in the relegation zone and on the brink of parting ways with manager Daniel Farke, switched to a 3-5-2 formation, which proved transformative.
The striker thrived, scoring six goals in five appearances, including key strikes in victories over Chelsea and Crystal Palace, and draws against Liverpool, Brentford, and Sunderland.
This marks Calvert-Lewin’s first Player of the Month award since September 2020 and makes him the first Leeds player to receive the accolade since Rio Ferdinand in October 2001.
December 2025 Player of the Month Nominees:
- Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United) WINNER
- Rayan Cherki (Manchester City)
- Hugo Ekitiké (Liverpool)
- Phil Foden (Manchester City)
- Erling Haaland (Manchester City)
- Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa)
- Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa)
- Harry Wilson (Fulham)
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Meanwhile, Leeds missed out on the Manager of the Month award, which went to Unai Emery after a stellar month with Aston Villa. The Villans won five of six games, including victories over Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United, propelling them into the Premier League title conversation. Emery’s success comes amid a festive period of managerial upheaval, where several big names were dismissed from their posts.
Interestingly, a pattern has emerged with recent Manager of the Month winners: Ruben Amorim (October) and Enzo Maresca (November) both claimed the award but later lost their positions at Manchester United and Chelsea, respectively, after defeats to Emery’s Villa side.
December 2025 Manager of the Month Nominees:
- Mikel Arteta (Arsenal)
- Unai Emery (Aston Villa) WINNER
- Daniel Farke (Leeds United)
- Pep Guardiola (Manchester City)
Emery’s recognition reflects a remarkable turnaround for Aston Villa and cements his reputation as one of the Premier League’s most influential tacticians this season.
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