Alan Shearer has dismissed Aston Villa's chances of winning the Premier League title, despite their impressive 2-1 victory over Arsenal on Saturday. The result moved Unai Emery's side to within three points of the league leaders, but Shearer believes their winning run will not last.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, the former England striker acknowledged Villa's remarkable turnaround after a poor start to the season. ‘They were outstanding, brilliant all over the pitch,’ Shearer said. However, he added: ‘I don’t expect their brilliant run to continue. I don’t think they will win it, but they have to put themselves into the conversation.’
Villa began the campaign without a win in their first five matches, sitting 18th in the table. Since then, they have lost only once – away to champions Liverpool – and have now won seven consecutive games in all competitions. Emiliano Buendia scored a stoppage-time winner against Arsenal after Leandro Trossard had cancelled out Matty Cash's opener.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta disagreed with Shearer's assessment, saying: ‘When you look at where they are, the way they play, they have beaten some big teams. Everybody is going to have to play everybody, so at the moment they are where they are.’ Villa could go level on points with Arsenal depending on results next weekend.
Emery himself played down title talk after the match. Villa next face Basel in the Europa League before travelling to West Ham in the Premier League.
