Aston Villa’s rise under Unai Emery shows no signs of slowing down, with the Spaniard continuing to impress with his incredible tactics.
Continuing where they left off last season, Aston Villa are currently cemented in fourth position in the Premier League table, level on points with third-place Arsenal.
Their 2-0 defeat against the Gunners remains their only loss of the campaign, with Unai Emery securing three consecutive victories in the Champions League without conceding.
Villa’s most recent win came against Bologna and they looked relentless at Villa Park, begging the question of how far they can go this season.
Jason Cundy thinks Aston Villa can finish above Arsenal
Many people – including Jamie Carragher – predicted Villa to struggle in the Premier League before the season kicked off.
That was mainly because they had Champions League commitments to contend with, as well as a 38-match top-flight campaign.
While it’s only early days, Emery hasn’t been afraid to make changes, drafting Duran, McGinn, Ezri Konsa and Ian Maatsen in from Saturday’s 2-1 triumph over Fulham.
| Position | Team | Played MP | Won W | Drawn D | Lost L | For GF | Against GA | Diff GD | Points Pts |
| 2 |  Man CityManchester City | 8 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 19 | 9 | 10 | 20 |
| 3 |  ArsenalArsenal | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 17 |
| 4 |  Aston VillaAston Villa | 8 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 15 | 10 | 5 | 17 |
| 5 |  BrightonBrighton | 8 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 14 | 10 | 4 | 15 |
| 6 |  ChelseaChelsea | 8 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 17 | 10 | 7 | 14 |
The Spaniard was able to field a bench of quality players against Bologna, including talisman Ollie Watkins, which showed they’ve got strength in depth.
Following last night’s convincing win, former Chelsea defender Jason Cundy believes that Aston Villa could finish above Arsenal in the Premier League this season.
Considering the Gunners are tipped to challenge for the title once more, that is a bold statement, telling talkSPORT: “It must be an absolute pleasure to watch your team. If you’re a Villa fan, coming away from Villa Park, you go there every game thinking ‘We’re going to win today’. Not just might get a win, we’re going to win. That’s what he’s turned them into, they’re a machine right now.
“Do not underestimate Aston Villa and if Arsenal, and we’re talking about that top four race, or top three. Right now if you had to say to me who’s going to finish higher, Villa or Arsenal, I’m going Villa.”
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Why Aston Villa can finish above Arsenal
When looking at both teams on paper, Arsenal have the edge when it comes to the quality they possess across the pitch.
However, when analysing the strikers, Villa win that debate by a mile and that could be the difference come the end of the campaign.
While Emery has Watkins and Duran vying for a starting spot – a duo who have scored 12 goals between them this term – Arsenal’s best striker is Kai Havertz.
The German has enjoyed a prolific spell since Mikel Arteta has used him as a number nine, scoring four goals in the Premier League.
But, unlike Villa, Arteta doesn’t have a prolific finisher in reserve, with four other Arsenal players tied on two goals, including forwards Gabriel Martinelli, Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard.
The closest they have as a proper number nine to Havertz is Gabriel Jesus but the Brazilian has never been clinical and he’s only played 89 minutes in the top flight in 2024/25.
Therefore, goal scoring is the edge Emery could have over Arteta in the battle for who finishes higher.
