Aston Villa are defeated on Boxing Day at Old Trafford.
Unai Emery‘s side fell victim to a remarkable second-half comeback from Manchester United, who punished the complacent Villans in the last 45 minutes.
Aston Villa were good in the first half. Goals from John McGinn and Leander Dendoncker put them firmly in the ascendency, but an Alejandro Garnacho double and a Rasmus Hojlund winner pulled off a Christmas comeback for the Red Devils.
Does this put a dent in Aston Villa‘s season?
Alan Shearer on Aston Villa’s title chances
One of the big questions that has arisen after Villa’s stunning Premier League form this season is whether they could go all the way and win the title.
It would be a remarkable feat, which many have given their verdict on over the past few weeks. Following the Manchester United defeat, Alan Shearer gave his.
“They’ve had a poor few days,” Shearer begins on Match of the Day. “But they’ve had lots of positive days this season.
“They’ll be back. They’ll still have a great season with a great manager. This is the first time they’ve lost from a winning position.
“I’ve always said, I don’t see them as Championship contenders. I see them as trying to get into the top four, top five.”
Realistic from Alan Shearer
Even though Shearer believes Villa can’t go all the way, realism is probably a good thing for Aston Villa.
The pressure of a title race may be too much for Villa, who would be having a ridiculously good season even finishing in the top four anyway.
It’s been a tough week for the Villans, but they have the chance to bounce back stronger as they take on Burnley at Villa Park on Saturday the 30th of December.
