Unai Emery stated that Aston Villa are “not really” contending for the Premier League title, but are instead focused on securing a spot in the top four. This comment follows a 2-1 victory over Chelsea, where substitute Ollie Watkins netted two goals, bringing Villa within three points of league leaders Arsenal.
This win marks the eleventh consecutive victory in all competitions for Villa, matching their longest winning streak from 1914 and just one shy of equaling their record of nine consecutive league wins from 1910.
Emery’s squad is set to face Arsenal at the Emirates on Tuesday, and a win would tie them with the Gunners for points. However, the Villa coach is tempering expectations regarding a title challenge, despite their proximity to the top of the table.
“Not really,” Emery replied when asked if he believes Villa is in the title race. “I feel like we are vying for a European spot, not competing with Manchester City and Arsenal for the league title.” He added, “We have played 18 matches, with 20 remaining. We need to compete with teams like Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United. Consistency will be key across all 38 matches.”
In their previous encounters, Villa drew at the Emirates last season and recorded a 2-0 win earlier this season. They also secured a 2-1 victory over the Gunners at Villa Park recently.
Despite this strong track record against Arsenal, Emery considers Arteta’s squad the favorites heading into Tuesday’s match.
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“The upcoming match against Arsenal will be extremely challenging,” Emery acknowledged. “They are a formidable team at the Emirates. This will be the toughest test we face as they are currently the best team in both the Premier League and Champions League.” He emphasized, “However, we have standout players and I aim to keep our expectations high. Every game presents a challenge, particularly away games. We will approach the match on Tuesday with our unique style and mindset, but they are certainly the favorites to win.”