If you had told me, back when Newcastle handed Aston Villa a 5-1 drubbing on the opening day of the Premier League season, that Villa would potentially sit atop the league on Christmas Day, I might have chuckled heartily. Yet, here we are, on the cusp of Villa potentially claiming the throne if they can overcome Sheffield United on Friday, which seems probable given their remarkable home record at Villa Park. Additionally, if Liverpool manages only a draw with Arsenal on Saturday, Unai Emery’s Villa side will have the chance to savor the view from the summit while everyone else enjoys their holiday turkey.
Even the thought of Villa occupying third place at this juncture is astonishing, considering their rocky start with that humbling defeat at St James’ Park and the loss of key defender Tyrone Mings to a serious injury on that same fateful day. Villa last tasted Premier League leadership in August 2011, but it lasted only a day. The last time they were Christmas Day leaders was in 1998, ultimately finishing the season in sixth place.
Participating in the Europa Conference League has meant a packed fixture schedule, but they’ve demonstrated resilience, as evidenced by their victory against Brentford. Even when fatigue seemed to be setting in, they managed to secure positive results. Although Villa wasn’t at their best for much of Sunday’s game, they hung in there, even when trailing 1-0. Once Ben Mee received his marching orders with 20 minutes to go, they discovered gaps in the Brentford defense that had been elusive in the 11 vs. 11 scenario. Kudos to them for capitalizing on the opportunity.
Unai Emery deserves commendation for his remarkable work in elevating Villa’s position in the table. The question now lingers: how long can they sustain this momentum?
One concern I have regarding their squad is the depth in forward positions, particularly in providing backup to their top scorer, Ollie Watkins, who has featured in all 17 of their league matches this season. Watkins plays an integral role in their setup, and the question of how they would fare without him remains unanswered. Yet, it’s worth noting that Villa has done a commendable job of keeping most of their key players fit thus far. Furthermore, the January transfer window offers the opportunity to bolster their squad, and this period promises to be intriguing.
At present, Villa seems to be doing everything right, and they received an extra boost when two other top-four teams, Liverpool and Manchester City, dropped points over the weekend.
Man City’s Rocky Road
Compared to their own lofty standards, Manchester City has endured a rough patch, with just one win in their last six league outings. Conceding late equalizers against Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham in recent weeks illustrates that even a team as exceptional as City can experience doubt and uncertainty when games hang in the balance. This is unfamiliar territory for them, given their prolonged dominance.
Their current points tally is the lowest at this stage of the season since Pep Guardiola took charge in 2016, a worrisome trend. If they aspire to reclaim the title, it appears they will need to adopt a different approach from their previous dominant seasons. However, it would be unwise to dismiss their chances, as they remain a formidable team.
Upon their return from Saudi Arabia and the FIFA Club World Cup, City will have ground to make up. Still, one can expect them to embark on one of their trademark winning streaks at some point. With Erling Haaland and Kevin de Bruyne set to return to the lineup in the coming weeks, they are bound to be contenders in the title race.
Liverpool’s Lackluster Display
Liverpool, on the other hand, experienced a frustrating outing against Manchester United despite entering the game as heavy favorites. Much anticipation surrounded how many goals they might score, but they appeared lackluster in attack.
Liverpool failed to sufficiently unsettle United’s backline, with their crosses being comfortably dealt with by Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans. United, despite previous criticism of their effort and squad unrest, displayed unity and executed their game plan effectively, securing a valuable draw.
This unity must persist for United, as they cannot afford to revert to their lackluster performances seen in defeats against Bournemouth or Newcastle. Their approach of containment was justified, given their limitations in taking the game to Liverpool.
In the end, United had the best chance to win it through Rasmus Hojlund, who was denied by Alisson. Hojlund faced a daunting task, battling against two of the Premier League’s top center-backs, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. While United lacked creativity before halftime, they managed to create some opportunities in the second half, but Hojlund couldn’t capitalize on his best chance.
Nonetheless, leaving Anfield with a point was undoubtedly a satisfactory outcome for United.
Rice’s Impact on Arsenal
Liverpool’s draw allowed Arsenal to claim the top spot following their comfortable victory over Brighton earlier in the day. The Gunners have clearly improved from last season, and the signing of Declan Rice has been instrumental in their progress. At £100 million, Rice has proven to be a worthwhile investment.
Rice has solidified Arsenal’s midfield and added bite, while also showcasing his quality on the ball. Although Arsenal’s attacking prowess may not be as dazzling as last year, they, along with Liverpool, have conceded the fewest goals in the Premier League this season. Their progress is undoubtedly a source of joy for Arsenal fans.
On a personal note, my colleague Ian Wright is ecstatic about Arsenal’s performance. We’ll certainly miss Wrighty when he steps down from Match of the Day at the end of the season. His infectious energy and enthusiasm have been a constant presence, especially when Arsenal is winning and perched atop the league.
In conclusion, the Premier League continues to serve up surprises and captivating storylines. Villa’s unexpected rise, City’s stumble, Liverpool’s flat display, and Arsenal’s resurgence all contribute to the intrigue, making this season one for the books.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Premier League Analysis
Q: What is the main topic of discussion in Alan Shearer’s column?
A: Alan Shearer’s column primarily discusses the current state of affairs in the Premier League, including Aston Villa’s surprising rise, Manchester City’s recent struggles, and Arsenal’s improvement.
Q: How has Aston Villa’s performance in the Premier League been described in the article?
A: Aston Villa’s performance in the Premier League has been described as remarkable, especially considering their poor start to the season. They are currently in a strong position in the league.
Q: What are the concerns raised about Aston Villa’s squad in the article?
A: The article raises concerns about the depth of Aston Villa’s squad in forward positions, particularly as backup to their top scorer, Ollie Watkins, who has started all 17 league games so far.
Q: How does the article characterize Manchester City’s recent form?
A: Manchester City’s recent form is characterized as a “sticky patch,” with only one win in their last six league games. The article discusses their struggles to secure late victories and mentions their points total being lower than in previous seasons.
Q: Who is credited with making a significant impact on Arsenal’s performance in the article?
A: Declan Rice is credited with making a significant impact on Arsenal’s performance. His arrival at the club is described as instrumental in improving Arsenal’s midfield and overall solidity.
Q: What is the final note about Ian Wright in the article?
A: The article mentions that Ian Wright, a colleague of Alan Shearer, will be stepping down from Match of the Day at the end of the season. It highlights his energy and enthusiasm, especially when Arsenal is performing well.
More about Premier League Analysis
- Premier League Official Website
- Aston Villa Official Website
- Manchester City Official Website
- Arsenal Official Website
- Declan Rice Transfer News
- Ian Wright on Match of the Day
