Aston Villa are in the title race, whether Unai Emery admits it or not. When you beat the leaders and sit three points behind, denial becomes theatre.
Villa beat Arsenal 2-1 at Villa Park and the league table now has a different edge. Villa struck first through Matty Cash before Arsenal hit back via Leandro Trossard.
The deciding moment was not subtle. Emiliano Buendia scored in the 95th minute, and Villa Park erupted in scenes not seen at B6 for some time; the win felt like a real statement.
Not least, it meant that for the first time in 106 years, Aston Villa recorded nine wins in a ten-game spell. That is not a top-four skirmish. It is a direct, damaging hit on Mikel Arteta’s league leaders.
The Premier League table has Villa on 30 points from 15 games with Arsenal just three points ahead on 33.
Three points is the sort of margin that collapses fast, it could even be this weekend . When the distance is that small, the debate is already settled.
Where do Aston Villa finish in the Premier League this season?
Even the clubs framed it like a turning point. Arsenal called it a cruel loss, because late defeats always leave a scar. Villa leaned into the occasion, describing a win that will live long in the memory. That is what serious challengers do after a serious win, they feed on it.
Unai Emery and Matty Cash verdict on Aston Villa title chances
The Villa boss stated after the win that it is simply too early to label his side as genuine title challengers and insisted his former side Arsenal remain clear favourites.
He said: “I am not thinking in it. I know 38 matches is very difficult. We are not a contender. If we were in day 35, perhaps we can speak differently.”
Emery added: “Arsenal are the best team in the Premier League until now. How we competed today gives me lots of confidence.”
Aston Villa lack firepower away from home.
What is the difference at Villa Park?
This is not just media talk to keep pressure off his players; he has clearly been getting the message across in the dressing room.
Despite obvious excitement after beating Arsenal, Matty Cash, arguably Villa’s standout performer this season, echoed his manager’s sentiment.
He said: “It’s hard to say. When you look where we are at the minute, obviously we’re three points behind Arsenal. We’re in a fantastic position, but we’re not even at Christmas yet. So I think we’ve got to have a bit of Christmas dinner first before we think about that!”
Emery’s caution is sensible, but it also feels like a deflection
Emery is right to protect his squad from noise. But the more he downplays the title race, the more the evidence looks.
Villa are within touching distance; the table makes the case every day, not just after big wins.
Arsenal should read this as a warning, not a freak result. Villa did not steal it, they earned it through a decisive finish with an increasingly hopeful crowd roaring them on.
