Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was once again asked about our Premier League title credentials on Monday, and he had the perfect answer for it.
Villa sit in third place in the Premier League table after 18 games, just three points adrift of leaders Arsenal, who we face at the Emirates on Tuesday night.
While many Villa fans remain focused on our chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season, it’s unsurprising that the outside noise seems to be centred around whether or not we can sustain a title push in the second half of the campaign.
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Emery has been consistently asked about it in recent weeks, and while there is a hint of frustration with having to repeat himself, the Villa boss gave the ideal answer in his pre-match press conference on Monday as he once again downplayed the discussion and remains focused on the task at hand.
“Two years ago, we were finishing the first half of the season with 39 points. Just now, we have 39 points, and you were making the same question,” he told the media, as per Villa TV. “You were making the same question two years ago. We were with 39 points in the day 19, and we finished fourth in the Champions League position, of course, fantastic.
“To speak about the title, not make sense for us, now, in December. For me, not make sense.
“Of course, we are motivated, we are excited, but for the moment we are, we have momentum and for the match we are going to play tomorrow, and with three points difference between them and us.
“This is our motivation, but if we are thinking today, 38, the life is passing. We are not enjoying.”
His answer is absolutely spot on. With just over half the season remaining, to talk about the title seems ridiculous, particularly given both Arsenal and Manchester City are setting the pace and we’re lacking experience in chasing those top teams down over the course of an entire season.
While there is of course no harm in dreaming and hoping that we can exceed expectations, the focus will remain on continuing to find ways to win games, and as Emery says, we’ll see where we’re at towards the end of the year when it’s really crunch time.
For now, Villa fans are undoubtedly enjoying the moment and this run that we’re on, and it’s hoped that it continues at Arsenal in midweek to set up a fascinating second half of the campaign where we can continue to pursue objectives at the top end of the standings.
