"Image source, Getty Images Just 11 weeks ago Aston Villa were winless and third bottom of the Premier League. Now, driven by manager Unai Emery, they are third with growing talk of their involvement in the title race. Saturday's dramatic finale against leaders Arsenal underlined their credentials and the 2-1 victory was Emery's 63rd in the Premier League - the most in the club's history."
"It all comes after a start to the campaign which left them in the bottom three, out of the Carabao Cup and the last team in the Football League to score a goal. Monchi, Villa's president of football operations, left in September and Emery's summer spending power was restricted by profit and sustainability rules (PSR) as questions were then asked about whether his touch had deserted him."
"What has Emery changed? The simple answer is nothing. It is perhaps boring that the workaholic Spaniard has not taken a axe to his methods to ensure Villa recovered, but is it the most accurate assessment. The 54-year-old has had the courage of his convictions to navigate through the problems which beset his team at the start. It was evident the club was flat, not just in results."
Aston Villa were winless and third bottom eleven weeks ago but have risen to third in the Premier League under Unai Emery. The team beat leaders Arsenal 2-1, giving Emery his 63rd Premier League victory and a 54.94% win rate from 162 games. Villa have 67 points from 34 games, behind only Arsenal and Manchester City. The club faces Basel in the Europa League with a chance to secure a last-16 spot. Early-season setbacks included Carabao Cup elimination, limited summer spending due to PSR, and Monchi's departure, yet form has sharply improved.
Read at www.bbc.com
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