Aston Villa have firmly cemented their status as genuine Premier League title contenders following a commanding 2-0 victory away at Newcastle United. Goals from Emi Buendia and Ollie Watkins secured a crucial three points, keeping Unai Emery's side in third place, just four points behind leaders Arsenal after 23 games.
The Title Race Intensifies
Arsenal's surprise 3-2 defeat to Manchester United over the weekend has thrown the championship battle wide open, offering Villa a golden opportunity to close the gap. With momentum on their side, Villa return to league action this Sunday with a home fixture against Brentford. The Midlands club will be eager to maintain their impressive form as they navigate a pivotal run of matches.
Upcoming Fixtures: A Detailed Comparison
Here is a comprehensive look at the next five Premier League fixtures for the top three clubs, highlighting the challenges and opportunities each faces in the coming weeks.
Arsenal (50 points)
Mikel Arteta's Gunners lead the pack but face a mixed bag of fixtures:
- Leeds United (A), Saturday 31st January, 15:00 KO
- Sunderland (H), Saturday 7th February, 15:00 KO
- Brentford (A), Thursday 12th February, 20:00 KO
- Tottenham Hotspur (A), Sunday 22nd February, 16:30 KO
- Chelsea (H), Sunday 1st March, 16:30 KO
Manchester City (46 points)
Pep Guardiola's City, level on points with Villa, have a demanding schedule:
- Tottenham Hotspur (A), Sunday 1st February, 16:30 KO
- Liverpool (A), Sunday 8th February, 16:30 KO
- Fulham (H), Wednesday 11th February, 19:30 KO
- Newcastle United (H), Saturday 21st February, 12:30 KO
- Leeds United (A), Saturday 28th February, 17:30 KO
Aston Villa (46 points)
Villa's fixture list appears favourable, with key home games that could bolster their title aspirations:
- Brentford (H), Sunday 1st February, 14:00 KO
- AFC Bournemouth (A), Saturday 7th February, 15:00 KO
- Brighton and Hove Albion (H), Wednesday 11th February, 19:30 KO
- Leeds United (H), Saturday 21st February, 15:00 KO
- Wolves (A), Friday 27th February, 20:00 KO
Villa's Path to Glory
Aston Villa's upcoming schedule features several winnable home matches against Brentford, Brighton and Hove Albion, and Leeds United, which could prove decisive in their pursuit of the top spot. The away trip to AFC Bournemouth on February 7th presents a tricky challenge, but they will be confident facing bottom-of-the-table Wolves at Molineux later in the month.
Reflecting on the significant win at Newcastle, manager Unai Emery praised his squad's resilience and discipline. "Fantastic. It was extraordinary how we've competed after we lost against Everton," he remarked. "The players did a fantastic job, showing discipline both defensively and offensively, and playing with personality."
Emery also addressed injury concerns, noting, "We have some players injured, and we're playing a lot of matches. Hopefully, we can recover and create our structure with the players as best as possible to continue competing like we are doing." With key players like John McGinn and Ross Barkley nearing returns, Villa's depth could be a crucial factor in the title race's final stretch.
