After Unai Emery, who managed Arsenal for a season and a half at the end of 2022, returned to the Premier League, it was with a mission to leave a clearer mark and achieve the success he didn’t have enough time to realize at the Gunners. “The Spanish manager is succeeding because what we see from Aston Villa is solid and consistent.
Unai Emery has given his verdict on whether Aston Villa are in contention for the Premier League title, after his side reduced Arsenal’s lead to three points with a 2-1 win at Villa Park over the league leaders on Saturday afternoon.
Arsenal still lead the Premier League, but the gap down to both Manchester City and, surprisingly for many, Aston Villa is only getting smaller and smaller. – Chelsea, who looked dangerous a few weeks ago, are now a full eight points behind Arsenal in fourth place.
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The Villans have been on the rise after a difficult start to the season, and have now won nine of their last ten league games. The win over the Gunners was their seventh league win in a row and put an end to Mikel Arteta’s side’s 18-game unbeaten run, which has completely opened up the title race.
Emiliano Buendía scored the winning goal in the 95th minute and sent Villa Park into wild joy, and it was a deserved three points. The hosts had taken the lead through Matty Cash before Leandro Trossard equalised for the visitors.
“Lots of confidence” – Emery’s assessment of Villa’s title chase
The only defeat for Villa in their last ten league games came against Liverpool, just days after an impressive 1-0 win over Manchester City. But today’s win over Arteta’s men was the biggest this season so far, as they defeated the title favourites and maintained their winning momentum into Christmas.
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Emery is not getting carried away, clarifying in his post-match interview that his Villans are not in the title race: “I don’t think about it. I know that 38 games is very difficult. We are not challengers.”
Villa have some very important games just around the corner, including against Manchester United (21 December), Chelsea (27 December) and the second leg against Arsenal (30 December). The Spaniard was fully aware of how significant the victory over the league leader was:
“If we had been at day 35, we might have talked differently. Arsenal are the best team in the Premier League so far. The way we competed today gives me a lot of confidence.”
Emery continues to work wonders at Villa Park after arriving at the club in November 2022 and securing them Champions League football last season. He has Arteta’s number, and has defeated his compatriot in four out of eight meetings, while losing only twice.
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Is Villa in the title race?
Emery plays down Villa’s chances of challenging for the title, but victories over Arsenal and Manchester City mean they cannot be ruled out, especially if they also manage to defeat European-leaning Chelsea. The winter period is crucial for any team with title ambitions, and the Spaniard’s comments only take some of the pressure that can come from being talked about as potential contenders.
It has been a remarkable turnaround at Villa Park after a dismal start to the season, with some questioning whether Emery was looking for a way out. But sporting director Monchi left the club, and suddenly the mood brightened and the Midlands team settled in completely.
Emery deserves a lot of praise for his work in transforming Villa during his time as manager, and the fact that he has them in the top four after 15 games considering a frustrating summer transfer window. He will be hoping to secure a further three points when his troops travel to West Ham United next Sunday (14 December).
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