Aston Villa's aspirations for an improbable Premier League title have suffered a significant setback this weekend, following a hard-fought 1-1 draw away at Bournemouth. The result leaves Unai Emery's side facing an uphill battle as they prepare for a daunting sequence of fixtures against top-tier rivals.
Bournemouth Draw Dents Villa's Title Ambitions
In their latest Premier League encounter, Aston Villa were held to a 1-1 stalemate by Bournemouth, despite taking an early lead through a superb first-half finish from Morgan Rogers. The match saw Villa struggle to maintain control, with Bournemouth dominating proceedings after the break.
Bournemouth's equaliser came via January signing Rayan, who produced an inspired solo effort, and they relentlessly pressed for a winner, forcing Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez into making seven saves from twenty shots. This outcome has allowed Arsenal to extend their lead at the summit of the table to nine points, following a commanding 3-0 victory over Sunderland, though Manchester City's upcoming clash with Liverpool could alter the landscape.
Analysing Aston Villa's Upcoming Premier League Fixtures
Villa's path to potential glory is fraught with challenges, as they face a critical run of matches that will test their mettle. Here is a detailed look at their next five league games:
- Brighton & Hove Albion (Home) – A midweek fixture where Villa, currently ten places above Brighton, are anticipated to be favourites, but cannot afford complacency.
- Leeds United (Home) – Scheduled ten days later, this match against a struggling Leeds side could prove tricky, given Daniel Farke's team's recent strong form.
- Wolves (Away) – A trip to face basement side Wolves offers a valuable opportunity to bolster Villa's title dreams with a crucial win.
- Chelsea (Home) – In early March, Villa host Champions League hopefuls Chelsea in what promises to be a challenging and pivotal encounter.
- Manchester United (Away) – The month continues with an equally important visit to Old Trafford to face a resurgent Manchester United under Michael Carrick, aiming to halt their new manager bounce.
How Villa's Fixtures Stack Up Against Rivals
Aston Villa currently hold a three-point advantage over fourth-placed Manchester United and a five-point lead over fifth-placed Chelsea. They are level on points with second-placed Manchester City, but trail league leaders Arsenal by a significant nine-point margin. Additionally, Villa are eight points clear of sixth-placed Liverpool, positioning them strongly for a Champions League return after narrowly missing out last season.
Comparing fixtures, Arsenal face matches against Brentford, Tottenham, Chelsea, Brighton, and Everton, while Manchester City take on Fulham, Newcastle, Leeds, Nottingham Forest, and West Ham. Chelsea's schedule includes Leeds, Burnley, Arsenal, Aston Villa, and Newcastle, and Manchester United meet West Ham, Everton, Crystal Palace, Newcastle, and Aston Villa. This analysis underscores the intense competition Villa must navigate to keep their title hopes alive.
