Former Defender Questions Villa's Championship Staying Power
Former Aston Villa defender Joleon Lescott has openly expressed his doubts about his old club's credentials as genuine Premier League title contenders this season. Despite Unai Emery's side currently occupying third position in the top-flight table, Lescott remains unconvinced about their ability to maintain a sustained challenge for the championship.
Current Form and Recent Setback
Villa have demonstrated remarkable resilience this campaign, bouncing back from an inconsistent start to mount a serious push for European qualification. Their impressive form included an eight-game winning streak between November and December, which propelled them into the upper echelons of the league and prompted some observers to consider them as potential dark horses in the title race.
However, their momentum suffered a significant blow recently with a disappointing home defeat to Brentford. This result has highlighted the unpredictable nature of their campaign and reinforced questions about their consistency at the highest level.
Lescott's Specific Concerns
Speaking on the In The Mixer podcast brought to you by Sky Bet, Lescott elaborated on his reservations about Villa's championship prospects. The former England international, who has represented both Manchester City and Aston Villa during his career, pointed to what he perceives as a crucial deficiency in their squad depth and mental fortitude.
"I was never really convinced Villa were genuine contenders for the title," Lescott stated unequivocally. "I don't know if they are able to win five in a row down the stretch. I don't know if they have that strength. Whereas I think Manchester City and Arsenal can do that."
His comments reflect a broader concern about whether Villa possess the necessary squad quality and experience to maintain their challenge through the demanding final stages of the season, particularly when competing against established powerhouses like Arsenal and Manchester City.
Emery's Cautious Approach
Interestingly, Villa manager Unai Emery has adopted a similarly measured perspective regarding his team's title aspirations. When questioned about their championship credentials following a 2-0 away victory against Newcastle last month, the Spanish tactician demonstrated characteristic caution.
Emery acknowledged the competitive landscape, noting: "Of course, we are competing against Arsenal and we are competing against Manchester City. But we are [also] competing against Chelsea. We are competing against Liverpool, we are competing against Newcastle and against Tottenham... Wow, the power they have. But we are competing and we are there. We are getting points."
The Villa manager emphasized maintaining balance and perspective, suggesting he would only reconsider their title prospects if they remained within striking distance with just a handful of matches remaining. "Okay, calm. Keep balance is the only objective I have in my mind," Emery explained regarding his approach to title talk. "The only way I know is work every day and if you are performing consistently, maybe you can do better and maybe [after] 35 [games] we can speak differently."
The Broader Title Picture
With fourteen matches still to play in the current Premier League season, the championship race remains fluid and unpredictable. While Arsenal and Manchester City are widely regarded as the frontrunners, Villa's presence in third position adds an intriguing dimension to the competition.
Lescott's comments highlight the ongoing debate about what constitutes genuine title contention in modern football. His perspective suggests that consistent performance throughout the entire season, particularly during the crucial final months, separates true contenders from impressive but ultimately transitional teams.
As the season progresses, Villa's ability to maintain their current position and potentially close the seven-point gap to league leaders Arsenal will provide the ultimate test of their championship credentials, either validating or disproving the concerns raised by their former defender.
