Villa have been here before - but are they really in title race?
- Published
Aston Villa's fans believe it. Aston Villa's players look like they believe it. Unai Emery will never say if he believes it.
One thing, however, can no longer be denied - Aston Villa must now be taken seriously as Premier League title contenders.
Emery met the inevitable question about whether Villa can mount a challenge with the straightest of bats: "Not really. We are competing very well. We are third in the league behind Arsenal and Manchester City. Wow."
Wow indeed.
Emery demonstrated he is not only the master of strategy, but also expectation management.
It took until Villa were in sight of a dramatic victory at Chelsea, where they came from behind to win 2-1 through substitute Ollie Watkins' header six minutes from time, until the deafening songs of belief rang around Stamford Bridge.
But the evidence is compelling:
Villa's victory was their 11th in succession, equalling a club record set in September 1897 and March 1914. They have now won eight consecutive top-flight games for the first time since a run of nine between October and December 1910.
At the end of matchday five this season, Villa sat 18th and were without a Premier League victory. From matchday six onwards, they have won more games and more points than any other side.
Villa have never had more points after 18 games of a Premier League season than their current tally of 39.
The statistics state an eloquent case.
Alan Shearer touched on the Emery factor as one reason Villa could yet defy his own belief they will not win the title.
"We are nearly halfway through the season and you have to say that Aston Villa are genuine title contenders," said Shearer, also a Match of the Day pundit.
"Do I think they'll win it? No, but that is purely because the depth of their squad isn't quite there. But anything is possible under Unai Emery.
"His game management is superb as he showed yet again with his three subs at Stamford Bridge. They weren't in the game in the first half, but the introduction of Ollie Watkins, Jadon Sancho and Amadou Onana was inspired.
"His team just does not know when they are beaten."
