'I have a feeling' - Unai Emery insists Aston Villa aren't Premier League title contenders despite record-equalling run of 11 straight wins
Unai Emery insists that his Aston Villa side are not Premier League title contenders despite their record-equalling run of 11 straight wins. Villa came from behind to secure a 2-1 win at Chelsea on Saturday night to keep on the coattails of Premier League leaders Arsenal. Joao Pedro had flicked Reece James' corner past Emiliano Martinez to put the Blues ahead on home turf.The Blues were dominant for the opening hour at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night but failed to build upon Pedro's first half goal. Emery's triple change on the hour mark, with Amadou Onana, Jadon Sancho and Ollie Watkins all introduced, stunned the west London side and swung the tie in Villa's favour.A second half Watkins brace saw Villa claimed an 11th-straight competitive win, and an eighth successive Premier League victory to close the gap to league leaders Arsenal to three points. The Villans take on the Gunners in midweek to round off 2025 as they seek to do the double over the north London side.However, despite Villa's impressive form and position in the table, despite a five-game winless run to kick off the campaign, Emery insists that his side are not Premier League title contenders. Following Saturday's Stamford Bridge success, Emery was asked whether Villa were in the title race, to which he replied: "Not really. Not really. I have a feeling that we are competing very well, and we are now third in the league with two teams in Manchester City and Arsenal - wow, fantastic teams."We have to play 38 matches. We have played 18 and still have 20 to play. Teams like Liverpool, like Chelsea, like Manchester United - we must compete against them. We have to try to be consistent over 38 matches."Emery was then quizzed whether a win over Arsenal next week would see him change his mind, with the Spaniard stating: "You are asking me now about the match against Arsenal? It's very, very difficult. Now it is 'wow'."In the Emirates they are so, so, so strong. The next challenge is the biggest we will face because they are the best team now. They are playing fantastic in the Premier League and Champions League. We have very good players and I try to set our demands high for everything."Villa are unbeaten on their last two trips to Arsenal, following up a 2-0 win at the Emirates in 2024 with a 2-2 draw in north London at the turn of the year. And Watkins, who scored in both results, praised his boss following Saturday's result.Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Watkins started Saturday's game in the capital on the bench with Donyell Malen preferred to the 29-year-old at the weekend. The England international was the Villa hero at Chelsea as he came off the bench to score his fourth and fifth league goals of the season.And Watkins labelled Emery a "tactical genius" following the 2-1 victory at the Blues. "Unai Emery is a tactical genius, and I want to say that," the Villans hitman said on Saturday night."He changed our system because Chelsea were playing man-to-man, but they had an extra centre-back when we went long. When I came on in the second half, he brought Jadon Sancho and Morgan Rogers out wide and moved Youri Tielemans into the No.10 role. That gave us an extra player in that area. He’s a tactical genius!"Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingVilla's 2-1 win at Chelsea did come at a cost, however. Key pair Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara were both carded either side of half time, meaning they'll miss Tuesday's game at Arsenal due to suspension, which could see Andres Garcia and Lamare Bogarde come into the side at right-back and central midfield, respectively, as Villa seek to make it 12 successive wins for the first time in their history.Villa's run of 11 wins on the bounce means the 2025 team stand shoulder to shoulder with the record set in 1897 and 1914.
Unai Emery insists that his Aston Villa side are not Premier League title contenders despite their record-equalling run of 11 straight wins. Villa came from behind to secure a 2-1 win at Chelsea on Saturday night to keep on the coattails of Premier League leaders Arsenal. Joao Pedro had flicked Reece James' corner past Emiliano Martinez to put the Blues ahead on home turf.The Blues were dominant for the opening hour at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night but failed to build upon Pedro's first half goal. Emery's triple change on the hour mark, with Amadou Onana, Jadon Sancho and Ollie Watkins all introduced, stunned the west London side and swung the tie in Villa's favour.A second half Watkins brace saw Villa claimed an 11th-straight competitive win, and an eighth successive Premier League victory to close the gap to league leaders Arsenal to three points. The Villans take on the Gunners in midweek to round off 2025 as they seek to do the double over the north London side.However, despite Villa's impressive form and position in the table, despite a five-game winless run to kick off the campaign, Emery insists that his side are not Premier League title contenders. Following Saturday's Stamford Bridge success, Emery was asked whether Villa were in the title race, to which he replied: "Not really. Not really. I have a feeling that we are competing very well, and we are now third in the league with two teams in Manchester City and Arsenal - wow, fantastic teams."We have to play 38 matches. We have played 18 and still have 20 to play. Teams like Liverpool, like Chelsea, like Manchester United - we must compete against them. We have to try to be consistent over 38 matches."Emery was then quizzed whether a win over Arsenal next week would see him change his mind, with the Spaniard stating: "You are asking me now about the match against Arsenal? It's very, very difficult. Now it is 'wow'."In the Emirates they are so, so, so strong. The next challenge is the biggest we will face because they are the best team now. They are playing fantastic in the Premier League and Champions League. We have very good players and I try to set our demands high for everything."Villa are unbeaten on their last two trips to Arsenal, following up a 2-0 win at the Emirates in 2024 with a 2-2 draw in north London at the turn of the year. And Watkins, who scored in both results, praised his boss following Saturday's result.Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!Watkins started Saturday's game in the capital on the bench with Donyell Malen preferred to the 29-year-old at the weekend. The England international was the Villa hero at Chelsea as he came off the bench to score his fourth and fifth league goals of the season.And Watkins labelled Emery a "tactical genius" following the 2-1 victory at the Blues. "Unai Emery is a tactical genius, and I want to say that," the Villans hitman said on Saturday night."He changed our system because Chelsea were playing man-to-man, but they had an extra centre-back when we went long. When I came on in the second half, he brought Jadon Sancho and Morgan Rogers out wide and moved Youri Tielemans into the No.10 role. That gave us an extra player in that area. He’s a tactical genius!"Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingVilla's 2-1 win at Chelsea did come at a cost, however. Key pair Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara were both carded either side of half time, meaning they'll miss Tuesday's game at Arsenal due to suspension, which could see Andres Garcia and Lamare Bogarde come into the side at right-back and central midfield, respectively, as Villa seek to make it 12 successive wins for the first time in their history.Villa's run of 11 wins on the bounce means the 2025 team stand shoulder to shoulder with the record set in 1897 and 1914.
Unai Emery's Perspective on Villa's Title Contention
After securing Villa's 11th straight win with a 2-1 victory over Chelsea, Emery downplays talks of a title race. Despite closing the gap to Arsenal at the top, he asserts that consistency over 38 matches is key to competing against top teams like Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Man United.
The Challenge Ahead Against Arsenal
Emery acknowledges the difficulty of facing Arsenal, the current league leaders. Although Villa have shown strength against Arsenal in recent encounters, Emery remains focused on the demanding task ahead, praising the Emirates side as the strongest team at present.
Watkins Hails Emery's Tactical Prowess
Villa's hero against Chelsea, Ollie Watkins, praises Emery as a tactical genius. Watkins highlights Emery's strategic adjustments during the Chelsea match, showcasing the manager's ability to read the game and make effective changes to shift the game in Villa's favor.
Injury Concerns and Squad Depth
Following the victory over Chelsea, Villa faces challenges as key players Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara will miss the next game against Arsenal due to suspension. Emery may look to Andres Garcia and Lamare Bogarde as replacements, emphasizing the need for depth in the squad during this critical phase.
Historic Achievement in Sight
Villa's 11-game winning streak equals records set in 1897 and 1914. As they aim to make it 12 successive wins for the first time in their history, the team under Emery's guidance prepares to overcome challenges and continue their remarkable run in the Premier League.
