Aston Villa midfielder Amadou Onana has delivered a candid assessment of the Premier League title race, acknowledging Arsenal as the clear favourites while outlining his own team's ambitions following a statement victory over Newcastle United.
Villa's Statement Victory at St. James' Park
Unai Emery's side secured a significant 2-0 triumph at St. James' Park on Sunday, ending a dismal 17-match winless streak on Tyneside. This crucial result arrived just days after Villa progressed in European competition against Fenerbahce, capping what Onana described as a perfect week for the club despite the gruelling schedule.
The Belgian international revealed the squad returned from Turkey at 4am before training the following morning, emphasising the professional commitment required at this level. This victory, combined with Arsenal's surprising home defeat to Manchester United, has narrowed the gap between the sides to just four points as the Premier League enters its decisive final phase.
Onana's Candid Title Race Assessment
While Villa management continues to downplay title aspirations, focusing instead on securing Champions League qualification, Onana offered a transparent perspective on the championship battle. "Arsenal are the clear favourite because they are performing week in, week out and just beating every single team they face," the midfielder stated unequivocally.
He elaborated on Villa's approach: "We just try to do our best to keep up with them and the likes of City and Liverpool, to stay in that mix. You always want to look up the table and try to challenge those teams in front of us. There's no point looking backwards."
Responding to Setbacks and External Noise
The midfielder addressed Villa's recent shock home defeat to Everton, highlighting the team's resilience in bouncing back with consecutive victories. "The loss against Everton at home, it doesn't happen quite often, but this is what we are about, picking our heads up," Onana explained, praising the squad's mentality and personality displayed at Newcastle.
When questioned about external perceptions and title talk, the 24-year-old maintained a focused perspective: "People can think whatever they want to think. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion. We have our own as a team, we know that we can perform and stay in that mix. Whatever people outside think, it doesn't really bother us. It's irrelevant."
Villa's Current Position and Future Prospects
Aston Villa currently enjoy a ten-point cushion inside the Premier League's top five, strengthening their position for Champions League qualification. While manager Unai Emery consistently avoids title discussions, the team's sustained form and proximity to league leaders Arsenal inevitably fuel speculation about their championship credentials.
Onana emphasised the importance of consistent performance: "It's just about trying to perform week in, week out and going out there, putting on the best performance we can and playing to the max of our ability." This philosophy has served Villa well during a demanding period featuring domestic and European commitments.
The midfielder's comments reflect a balanced perspective within the Villa camp - acknowledging Arsenal's current superiority while maintaining confidence in their own capabilities to challenge the established elite as the season reaches its climax.
