The English Premier League is heating up as we enter a new year. This year, there have been a few surprises, including numerous controversial VAR decisions and Everton’s resurgence after a demoralizing 10-point deduction.
But it’s Aston Villa who have taken everyone by surprise in the Premier League. The Villains have put together an impressive string of results that sees them sit third on the EPL table with 39 points. Unai Emery’s side proved that they are a force to be reckoned with in the EPL after dispatching the table-topping arsenal 1-0 at Villa Park.
Surprisingly, Villa missed a golden chance to move to the top of the EPL after being held to a 1-1 stalemate by the bottom club Sheffield United. Cameron Archer, who joined the Bladed from Villa this summer, stunned the hosts after scoring from close range in the 88th minute. But the Villains once again proved their mental strength to snatch a point after substitute Nicolo Zaniolo levelled things in the stoppage time.
The last time Aston Villa topped the EPL table was in August 2011, and the team has not led the table at this phase of the campaign for 25 years. Aston Villa dominated possession, even scoring earlier in the second half, but were denied by VAR. This draw means Villa extended their unbeaten run at Villa Park to 15 games.
Incredible Redemption Story Under Emery
In October last year, Aston Villa sacked Steven Gerrard after a 3-0 defeat to Fulham. The former Liverpool manager had only been in charge for 11 months, and the team had only won 2 or 12 EPL games before his departure. The Saudi Arabia hotshot joined Villa with a colourful portfolio after showing immense potential at Rangers.
After being linked to a host of Europe’s top-tier managers, including Chelsea’s current boss Mauricio Pochettino, Villa appointed former Sevilla, Valencia, and Arsenal manager Unai Emery. He joined a team that was sitting 15th in the EPL table, and his first job in the dugout was against an in-form Manchester United at home.
This appointment has so far proved to be the right one, with Villa getting impressive odds, especially when playing at home. Since his appointment, Villa has put together a club record of 15 straight home league wins, including Victories against Arsenal and Manchester City in December.
With all due respect, it would be unreasonable for Villa fans to start dreaming of lifting the EPL title. But after seeing their team take 6 points against the table-topping Arsenal and the defending Champions, Man City, some fans may imagine the “impossible.” After all, Leicester City won the title after playing second fiddle for most of the 2015/2016 season.
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It’s Tight at the Top
Leicester City might have surprised everyone in 2016. But this doesn’t mean Aston Villa will do the same at the end of the 2023/2024 season. During Leicester City’s reign, Arsenal were their only formidable competition. The same cannot be said about the Villains this season.
According to odds from the best betting sites worldwide, the Citizens are still the favourites to win the league for the third consecutive time. Despite winning only once in their last five matches and sitting five points behind Villa, Machester City still have a game in hand that could see them move two points behind the Villains. We also know that Pep Guardiola’s side is capable of a bull run, and the imminent return of Kevin De Bruyne will be a welcomed booster.
But Pep Guardiola doesn’t need to worry too much about Aston Villa. Instead, the Spanish manager will be burning the midnight oil, thinking of how to dislodge Arsenal and Liverpool at the top of the table. On December 23, the top two teams played out to an impressive 1-1 draw to maintain their positions at the top of the tree.
Everyone should be worried after Arsenal secured a point at Anfield like last season. But this is not the Arsenal of before. Mikel Arteta’s side seem to have found a bit of composure and resilience, especially with the addition of class act Declan Rice from West Ham. Kai Havertz is also coming good after a slow start to life at the Emirates Stadium.
As for Liverpool, the team will be putting their hopes on Mohammed Salah once again to end their antagonizing wait for the EPL trophy. But they have a problem that their opponents will look to capitalize on. Mo Salah will captain Egypt in the tournament, although former Man City legend Yaya Toure doesn’t fancy Egypt’s chances in Ivory Coast.
Overall, it will be a thrilling second half of the 2023/2024 EPL season. While Aston Villa doesn’t have the squad to match Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool, they compensate for that with incredible teamwork and coordination. A top-four finish is a much more realistic target for the Villains.
