Champions League Contention

[Dogtanian]

I think the key thing we have had is consistency.

Of the current top five, Villa are the only side whose points per game has not dropped below 2 for any run of six games this season.

Our lowest was 2 points per game for the first six, which included the losses to Newcastle and Liverpool.

Our current is 2.67. Only Man City have had better over six games, winning their first six.

[SaddVillan]

ASTON VILLA ARE TITLE CONTENDERS - UNAI EMERY KNOWS IT.

After back-to-back wins against Man City and Arsenal, Villa have unexpectedly and suddenly thrust themselves into the title race.

John Percy - The Telegraph

CAN ASTON VILLA WIN THE PREMIER LEAGUE?

It is the question which continues to become more of a hot topic with each passing week, as records and opponents continue to be smashed apart in Unai Emery’s magical transformation of this famous old club.

With many of Villa’s rivals fading away like specks of dust in the rear view mirror, Emery is running out of ways to defuse the excitement surrounding their season.

Yet there was a telling moment on Sunday, after Villa’s 12th victory in 17 matches was secured away at Brentford.

The question was posed to Douglas Luiz, one of Villa’s star men this season, who was suspended for the match which ended in another statement of intent.

“Yes. We can win the league, of course,” he replied on his Twitch platform, and it perfectly captured the mood of soaring confidence in Emery’s dressing room.

If Villa can beat Sheffield United at home on Friday night, and then Liverpool draw against Arsenal the following evening, Emery’s outsiders will be top of the league on Christmas Day.

Villa last won the league in 1981 and there will be many older supporters who recall the 1998-99 campaign, when John Gregory’s resurgent team led the table after 20 games and then slipped away.

Emery is a wily, experienced operator and will continue to be cautious.

There are still a few concerns over a lack of strength in depth, and an injury to a player such as inspirational captain John McGinn, leading scorer Ollie Watkins or – whisper it – goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, could be seriously damaging.

Boubacar Kamara is facing a three-game suspension after his dismissal at Brentford and is one of those players whose importance only becomes more stark when he is missing from the team.

Their away form also needs improvement, despite the victory at Brentford which required resilience and fortune in equal measure.

But why can’t Villa dream big? The amazing turnaround under Emery over 13 months is propelling the club forward on a tidal wave of momentum.

EMERY CONTINUES TO BREAK RECORDS
The stats are, quite frankly, ridiculous. Villa have won 15 league games in a row in front of their own supporters, for the first time in their history.

Emery has 81 points in this calendar year, which is a total surpassed only by Treble winners Manchester City. That represents another club record, after 25 league wins in 2023.

Villa are nine points above fifth-placed Newcastle.

Hell, they are even beating ‘bogey team’ Brentford away from home now, for the first time since an FA Cup tie 70 years ago when Tommy Lawton scored for their opponents.

COULD VILLA EMULATE LEICESTER IN 2016?
Villa’s emergence as title contenders has drawn some comparisons with Leicester City’s triumph in 2016, primarily because they are two clubs who have dared to gatecrash the private members’ party.

Emery’s reluctance to address winning the title is certainly reminiscent of the dotty, genial Claudio Ranieri.

It was not until April 22 when Ranieri finally admitted Leicester could win it, four games before the end of their remarkable season.

At that time they were five points ahead of nearest rivals Tottenham, yet it was very late in the campaign when Ranieri abandoned his trademark caution.

Emery has been fending off discussion over Villa’s title prospects like an opening batsman facing the first over of the Ashes at the Gabba.

Even talking about challenging for the top-four has been a stretch, pointing to the likes of more established rivals such as Newcastle and Brighton.

There are similarities between Villa and Leicester, in that they are both super-charged
from their exploits in the previous season.

It could be argued that Leicester’s title win of 2016 will always be more significant even if Villa can go the distance.

Leicester lost only three league games that season – three! – and did not have the financial backing that has been supplied by Villa’s ambitious owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens.

They relied on shrewd recruitment, with arguably their best two players Jamie Vardy and Riyad Mahrez costing just £1.45 million between them.

Over the years, many have tried to belittle Leicester’s achievement by claiming that the likes of Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United were in a bad moment. Dilly-ding, dilly-wrong.

It came out of nowhere, and a club the size of Leicester may never repeat such an achievement.

EMERY IS AN ELITE COACH
Yet Emery’s revitalisation of Villa has been stirring ever since his appointment, when Manchester United were beaten at home on his debut for the first time since Alan Hansen uttered that memorable quote about not winning anything with kids.

Their results and performances, particularly against Manchester City and Arsenal in the space of four days earlier this month, mean they have to be taken seriously. Villa have blown the title race apart.

Emery is an elite coach, and deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as his peers Pep Guardiola and Jürgen Klopp.

He is the puzzle solver, a tactical genius who makes players better.

His most substantial challenge now is keeping a lid on expectations.

Make no mistake, though: Villa are title contenders, and he knows it.

[TaxDodger]

Villa last won the league in 1981 and there will be many older supporters who recall the 1998-99 campaign, when John Gregory’s resurgent team led the table after 20 games and then slipped away.

Well I remember the 1998/9 season so have been described as an 'older supporter' for the first time, aged 33. This is depressing.

[Dogtanian]

Villa last won the league in 1981 and there will be many older supporters who recall the 1998-99 campaign, when John Gregory’s resurgent team led the table after 20 games and then slipped away.

Well I remember the 1998/9 season so have been described as an 'older supporter' for the first time, aged 33. This is depressing.

I remember when I was 30 and reading I Am Legend where the main character is described as a middle aged man when he's about 32... 

[ADVILLAFAN]

For those looking into Coefficiency, Arsenal v Porto and Man City v København in the next round of the Champion's League.

[Baldy]

For those looking into Coefficiency, Arsenal v Porto and Man City v København in the next round of the Champion's League.

Yes, a good draw. It also gives them a very good chance of having to face at least two more very tough games in that competition. The more games they play the better for us.

[Bad English]

Villa last won the league in 1981 and there will be many older supporters who recall the 1998-99 campaign, when John Gregory’s resurgent team led the table after 20 games and then slipped away.

Well I remember the 1998/9 season so have been described as an 'older supporter' for the first time, aged 33. This is depressing.

I remember when I was 30 and reading I Am Legend where the main character is described as a middle aged man when he's about 32... 

This reminds me of when I was in the 2nd Year at school and Debbie with the red hair in the 4th Year was only just 14 but had the most intriguing forms under her Shetland wool jumper, and seemed like a 30 year-old sex goddess.

[OCD]

Fifteen home wins on the bounce, facing the bottom team at Fortress Villa Park^tm with the chance to go top for Christmas...

Come on, we all know what's going to happen. This is the Villa we're taking about, after all.

Normally I would agree with you but the rules don't seem to apply with Emery in charge.

[rob_bridge]

Realistically we are in the Top 4 conversation but it won't be easy.

Just think when push comes to shove Cit-eh and 'The Mighty Reds YNWA' have a lot more depth. Could have a punch up with Arsenal and Spuds for 3rd and hope ManU and Newcastle continue to be inconsistent.

We have a high quality but small squad - if we lost Martinez or Watkins for even a month we would be diminished significantly compared to others who could lose such players.

[LeeB]

It's the same for the others though regarding key players, Citeh have lost Rodri and been all over the shop since, Arsenal lost Saliba last season and then fell apart.

[andyh]

that Percy article has given me goosepimples !!!!

[Richard E]

We’re not ‘in contention’, as that implies that anyone else has a prayer.

[wince]

Very salty brummie-redscouse school pal of mine FFS'ing about how we think we are all that for being considered contenders for the title and how sad it is we have won nuffink since 82..........

[tomd2103]

Villa last won the league in 1981 and there will be many older supporters who recall the 1998-99 campaign, when John Gregory’s resurgent team led the table after 20 games and then slipped away.

Well I remember the 1998/9 season so have been described as an 'older supporter' for the first time, aged 33. This is depressing.

Strange he mentioned that season and not 89/90 and 92/93 when we were genuine contenders right up.to the last few games.

[darren woolley]

Great article by John Percy.