EPL: Emery says Arsenal clash will test Aston Villa’s title ambitions

Aston Villa's Spanish manager Unai Emery reacts during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Aston Villa at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on December 3, 2025. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. NO USE WITH UNAUTHORIZED AUDIO, VIDEO, DATA, FIXTURE LISTS, CLUB/LEAGUE LOGOS OR 'LIVE' SERVICES. ONLINE IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES. AN ADDITIONAL 40 IMAGES MAY BE USED IN EXTRA TIME. NO VIDEO EMULATION. SOCIAL MEDIA IN-MATCH USE LIMITED TO 120 IMAGES. AN ADDITIONAL 40 IMAGES MAY BE USED IN EXTRA TIME. NO USE IN BETTING PUBLICATIONS, GAMES OR SINGLE CLUB/LEAGUE/PLAYER PUBLICATIONS. /

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Unai Emery said the visit of Premier League leaders, Arsenal, on Saturday will be the acid test of Aston Villa’s ambitions after his side stormed up to third in the table.

Villa took just three points and scored only one goal in their opening five league games of the season, but have won eight of the past nine to close to within six points of the Gunners.

Arsenal have looked a class apart from their challengers, and Villa manager Emery believes his former club are favourite to end their two-decade wait to lift the Premier League.

“We now have the really huge opportunity tomorrow to play against Arsenal– the best team until now and, of course, I think the favourites to win this trophy in the Premier League because they are performing and competing fantastically.

“After our progress, tomorrow is a really huge test. Huge test collectively, huge test individually, and for me as a coach as well, I am delighted to have this opportunity,” he said on Friday.

Challenging for Villa’s first league title since 1981 appears unlikely, but they are in the mix for a return to the Champions League next season and also sit joint top of the Europa League table.

Victory at Villa Park in Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off would take Emery’s men up to second for a few hours at least, with Manchester City hosting Sunderland later in the day.

“Of course, if we are winning, we can be more positive for the next matches,” Emery said, referring to a potential title tilt.

“But our race is each match, and it’s good sometimes to remind ourselves of our experiences before. Two months ago, we were at the bottom; now we are at the top.

“Maybe, in two months, we can again come back down. This is football, and this is the Premier League — the most difficult (league),” he said.

AFP

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