Manchester City star Ederson has given his verdict on Aston Villa’s title hopes, as Unai Emery’s side sit just five points from the summit.
Aston Villa’s trajectory since the employment of Unai Emery has been an emphatic journey to follow, although not many could have predicted that the Villans would be involved in a title race.
Having played 23 matches in the 2023/24 Premier League season so far, the Spaniard’s high-flying side have showcased their progression throughout the course of the term, leaving them as contenders to not only finish in the top four but to win the league.
Based on Squawka’s Opta probability, Villa have a 0.22% chance of claiming the ultimate prize in May, a slim chance on paper but merely a decimal to those at Villa Park who are showing a tireless swagger this campaign.
Aston Villa are not title contenders according to Ederson
While Villa have recorded some showstopping results this season, not everyone is convinced by the strength of Emery’s side when it comes to the fight for the summit.
When speaking to the media, five-time Premier League winner, Ederson, declined to entertain the narrative that the Midlands club are involved in the title race.
“Aston Villa are playing very well, playing good football with a great manager and great players. But I think that the title race is between Liverpool, City and Arsenal. I think they are the three favourites to win the Premier League.”
The assessment is somewhat fair from Ederson, based on his experiences in battling both Arsenal and Liverpool over the past few seasons, although the 30-year-old’s side remain level on points with the Villans at present.
Villa’s claim to the title is as good as anyone else’s, particularly when you take into evaluation that Emery’s side has beaten all but Liverpool from the top five so far.
Aston Villa relishing their revival under Emery
It’s firmly assumed that the Spaniard would wish to mute all talk surrounding Villa’s position in the table, with the most important thing to note being their continual progression.
During his first season, Emery guided the Villans from 15th to 7th, forecasting just the jump the 52-year-old can inspire his relatively unaltered squad to make.
Speaking in December, the boss also batted away talk that his side could win the league, admitting that it would be “very, very difficult” for his squad to overcome the strength of those around them.
The general calibre of the top four makes Ederson’s claim an understandable one, yet an opinion that will not phase the path that the Midlands club are relishing under the manager’s exciting reign.
