All 133 words Alan Shearer said about Aston Villa after yet another win vs Chelsea
Alan Shearer could not stop raving over Aston Villa after yet another win against Chelsea.
Ollie Watkins’ double sealed a 2-1 comeback win for Aston Villa over Chelsea, ensuring they kept pace with title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City.
Joao Pedro had given Chelsea the lead after 37 minutes, from which Emi Martinez came in for significant criticism from Jamie Redknapp, as the Argentine found himself in a wrestling match, rather than watching the ball.
Thankfully, that counted for little as Villa did what they do best to come from behind for another win.
Alan Shearer makes Aston Villa Premier League title claim
Emery has been receiving major plaudits for what he’s doing at Aston Villa, with his team already well on their way to securing their second top-four finish in three seasons.
Villa will now prepare for their biggest game of the season when they travel to the Emirates to take on Arsenal on Tuesday, with huge title implications on the line in London.
Speaking on BBC Match of the Day, Shearer has been waxing lyrical over the work Emery has done at Villa Park, and has made a big title claim for the Villans.
“We are nearly halfway through the season, and you have to say that Aston Villa are genuine title contenders,” Shearer began.
“Do I think they’ll win it? No, but that is purely because the depth of their squad isn’t quite there. But anything is possible under Unai Emery. His game management is superb, as he showed yet again today with his three subs at Stamford Bridge.
“His team just does not know when they are beaten. Where would they be if they had not had such an awful start? To think where they were after no wins in five to this incredible club record run is quite something.
“What they are doing is great for the Premier League, it’s brilliant. They go to the Emirates next, and what a game that is going to be.”
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Arsenal clash is going to be biggest Aston Villa game in many years
Wherever you look, there are fascinating storylines ahead of Arsenal vs Aston Villa.
Not only have you got the obvious meaning to the match in regards to the title race, with Villa able to go level on points with Arsenal if they win, but there are some brilliant individual stories too.
Emery is returning to one of his former clubs, hoping to get one over on the Gunners and simultaneously deal a blow to their title hopes.
- Aston Villa have avoided defeat in three of their last five games vs Arsenal
- Villa have won 17 points away from home this season, winning five of their nine games on the road
- Arsenal remain unbeaten at home this term, scoring 22 goals and conceding just four at the Emirates
Meanwhile, the aforementioned Martinez also heads back to his old stomping ground, no doubt eager to show Arsenal just how much of a top goalkeeper he’s become since leaving the Emirates.
It’s Villa that have the recent bragging rights between the two clubs too, with Emi Buendia’s stoppage time winner sealing a dramatic 2-1 win over Mikel Arteta’s men on 6 December.
So, for many reasons, this next renewal has all the makings of an all-time Premier League classic.
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