Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has made his stance clear on the Premier League title race after beating Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery(Image: PA)
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Unai Emery has claimed that he doesn’t feel Aston Villa are in a title race, despite securing an eighth successive Premier League victory at Chelsea.
It is the first time Villa have won eight consecutive top-flight matches since a run of nine wins between October and December 1910.
Across all competitions, their 11-game winning streak matches a club record, previously set in September 1897 and March 1914.
Ollie Watkins came off the bench just before the hour mark to turn the game on its head at Stamford Bridge, with each of Villa’s five away league wins this season coming after they had fallen behind.
“It is not a surprise and it makes us proud, but it is about building a mentality and structure like we are doing,” Emery said of his comeback kings.
“We were so worried in August and September. We were speaking progressively to get challenges in every match we were playing.
“We didn’t watch the table, but focused on each match. Through creating our structure stronger, we were working hard and we continue to work hard. Our individual players are working hard and are staying responsible and mature.
“We have very good players and they respond to our high demands in everything. We are building a team in our structure to feel comfortable playing in the task we have.
“We are demanding tactically and the first half was fantastic how the players competed defensively. We were struggling against Chelsea, but we didn’t control the ball.
“In the second half, the substitutes added fresh legs. We were only losing 1-0 and then we got momentum. Their impact was fantastic and it is a good example for the players who were on the bench."
Asked if he feels that Villa are in the title race, Emery bluntly responded: “Not really. I am not feeling it, but we are competing very well.
“Man City and Arsenal, wow. We are going to play 38 matches. here is still Liverpool, Chelsea, Man United.
“We must compete against them and try to be more or less consistent in 38 matches like we are now. Arsenal and Man City are still in front of us.”
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