"Aston Villa's fans believe it. Aston Villa's players look like they believe it. Unai Emery will never say if he believes it. One thing, however, can no longer be denied - Aston Villa must now be taken seriously as Premier League title contenders. Emery met the inevitable question about whether Villa can mount a challenge with the straightest of bats: "Not really. We are competing very well. We are third in the league behind Arsenal and Manchester City. Wow.""
"But the evidence is compelling: Villa's victory was their 11th in succession, equalling a club record set in September 1897 and March 1914. They have now won eight consecutive top-flight games for the first time since a run of nine between October and December 1910. At the end of matchday five this season, Villa sat 18th and were without a Premier League victory. From matchday six onwards, they have won more games and more points than any other side."
Aston Villa have transformed their season into genuine title-challenger form through an extraordinary winning run and strategic leadership. A comeback 2-1 win at Chelsea, sealed by substitute Ollie Watkins's header, marked their 11th consecutive victory, equalling club records from 1897 and 1914 and yielding eight straight top-flight wins for the first time since 1910. After sitting 18th and without a league win at matchday five, Villa have since amassed more wins and points than any other side and reached a club-record 39 points after 18 Premier League games. Unai Emery's tactics and player belief underpin the surge, with an upcoming test at Arsenal.
Read at www.bbc.com
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