Unai Emery has once again rejected the assumption that his Aston Villa side are in the Premier League title race despite being just four points from the pinnacle of the top-flight table behind Arsenal and Manchester City.
Emiliano Buendia and Ollie Watkins both scored against Newcastle United to maintain Villa’s pace in the title race and earned joint-second place with City.
Arsenal, who lost to Manchester United on Sunday in a thrilling affair which ended in Matheus Cunha scoring an 87th-minute winner, could have extended their lead to seven points but remain on four after that defeat.
The result at the Emirates Stadium proved to dent the Gunners’ hopes of a long-awaited Premier League title, which could be their first since 2003 — but according to Emery, the suggestion is that it is only them and City in the race.
“Next week we play against Brentford. Last week we lost. Nobody asked me about being contenders for the title after Everton,” Emery said.“Okay, calm. Keep balance. I only know to work every day. I am being realistic. We are competing for the position we are in.
Buendia, left, and Watkins, middle, both scored to beat Newcastle (Photo by Alex Livesey - AVFC/Getty Images)
“We didn’t speak about it next week. We had a very difficult week. We reacted on Thursday and got up.
“Today we won and we got up to feel again confidence in everything we are doing. The next match is in Europe, and then Brentford. They are fantastic.
“In the day 35, more or less, where we are going to be in that moment, we can maybe speak in that moment. Now, we want to compete in each competition.
“We have some experiences. Last year and two years ago, we are competing against Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea, Man City, Tottenham... we are competing and we are there.
"Last year they asked the same about Forest, and they finished sixth. When we lost the first matches [of the season], nobody was asking me! 'Maybe you are going to get relegated!' I am always very positive and I work hard with the players every day."