Former Star Delivers Blunt Title Verdict on Aston Villa's Credentials
Joleon Lescott, the former Manchester City and Aston Villa defender, has delivered a damning assessment of Unai Emery's side's Premier League title aspirations, stating he has never considered them genuine contenders for the crown.
Villa's Position Belies Underlying Doubts
Aston Villa currently occupy third place in the Premier League table, just seven points behind leaders Arsenal, following a remarkable recovery from a poor start to the campaign. Their impressive eight-game winning streak between November and December propelled them into the conversation for some observers.
However, a recent home defeat to Brentford has highlighted potential vulnerabilities. With fourteen matches remaining, Arsenal and Manchester City are widely viewed as the primary contenders, though other teams cannot be entirely discounted in what remains a competitive season.
Lescott Cites Critical Weakness in Run-In
Speaking on the In The Mixer podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet, Lescott was unequivocal in his dismissal of Villa's championship credentials. He pinpointed a perceived lack of endurance and consistency required for the demanding final phase of the season as a fundamental flaw.
"I was never really convinced Villa were genuine contenders for the title," Lescott stated. "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."
Emery's Cautious Stance Mirrors Skepticism
Interestingly, Villa manager Unai Emery has expressed a similarly cautious outlook. When questioned in January about his team's title chances following a 2-0 away victory against Newcastle, the Spanish coach urged calm and emphasised maintaining balance as the immediate objective.
"Okay, calm. Keep balance is the only objective I have in my mind," Emery remarked. "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."
Emery acknowledged the fierce competition, naming Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Tottenham as formidable opponents, but took pride in Villa's current position and point accumulation.
The Lingering Question of Endurance
The core of Lescott's argument hinges on a team's capacity to string together consecutive victories during the intense pressure of the season's climax. His experience with title-winning sides informs his belief that Villa may lack the requisite depth or mentality for such a sustained push.
This public verdict from a respected former professional adds a significant narrative to the final months of the Premier League season. It places the onus squarely on Aston Villa to prove their doubters wrong and demonstrate the championship mettle that Lescott and even their own manager currently question.
