"I think they are favourites,” Emery said. “How they are building the team. How they are improving a lot of things. They have more players in their squad, two players in each position. Some players they have had coming back after being injured like [Kai] Havertz and [Gabriel] Jesus. And of course, look and see now - stronger.
"We analyse to play them tomorrow like we analysed three weeks ago and we have enough players, enough structure, tactically, individually and mentally to face them, but, of course, it is going to be the biggest test we will face.
"Manchester City as well, they are performing fantastic and we must be proud of everything we are doing - one point behind Man City and three points behind Arsenal, but we must be humble, we must be confident but we must be, as well, ambitious. Our ambition is, go tomorrow to face them, and we will see how we are facing them.”
While Emery remains pessimistic about Villa’s title chances, Arsenal boss Arteta said his team are up for the challenge of competing with Man City following his side’s win over Brighton last time out.