Aston Villa are hot on the heels of Manchester City and leaders Arsenal in the Premier League title chase
Youri Tielemans of Aston Villa high fives Ezri Konsa
Youri Tielemans of Aston Villa high fives Ezri Konsa
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Aston Villa twice came from behind to secure a 3-2 win over troubled West Ham and their ninth successive Premier or Europa League win.
Unai Emery’s men cancelled out Mateus Fernandes opener with an own goal from Konstantinos Mavropanos before Morgan Rogers equalised after Jarrod Bowen made it 2-1.
The Villa forward then went on to make it 3-2 with a spanking long-ranger drive that ensured Villa kept pace with Arsenal and Manchester City but also maintained their lead over fourth-placed Chelsea at five points.
As the season reaches its midway point, which will come at the Emirates Stadium on December 30, talk of Emery’s side being title challengers intensifies.
Not that everyone is on the same page, certainly Match of the Day pundits Theo Walcott and Joe Hart are of different opinions.
Asked if Villa are in the race ex-Arsenal winger Walcott said: “I think so. I do. I feel like when you have a very difficult start, you can go two ways as a team, as a squad, but Emery's obviously got that confidence in them.
“They're playing some good stuff at this moment in time, so for me they would be a problem.”
However, Hart, who won the league twice with City, is less convinced.
“As expected Manchester City up there but Villa, I think the biggest compliment you can pay them is with a difficult start they've beaten both Arsenal and Manchester City.
“They're definitely capable, whether they can mount a charge is yet to be seen, but Arsenal and City are definitely going to be there at the moment.”
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