Can Aston Villa pull off the unthinkable? Is it possible for Unai Emery to guide the Villains to Premier League glory? They’re aiming not just for a top-four finish, but for something much grander. After securing consecutive victories against reigning champions Manchester City and title contenders Arsenal, whispers about the Premier League title heading to the Midlands are growing louder. We had the opportunity to speak with former Premier League winger John Barnes about Villa’s impressive form this season and their potential for remarkable achievements.
In this article:
- Barnes plays down Villa’s title aspirations
- Barnes warns Villa of injuries derailing their season
- John McGinn has been sensational this season
- Villa can finish in the top four
Barnes Plays Down Villa’s Title Aspirations
After Aston Villa’s hard-fought 1-0 win against Arsenal last weekend, Emi Martinez expressed his belief and hope that Villa is capable of winning the league. Currently, they sit third in the table, just two points behind Liverpool, who are at the top. This position is a world away from the Steven Gerrard era, during which the Villains were languishing in the bottom half of the table. But the question arises: could Villa do the unthinkable?
“Well, every team is aiming to win the league but whether they can is another thing. Right now they are doing well. They’re doing fantastically, says Barnes.
“I don’t think they’re going to win the league.
“Of course, everybody has a chance of winning the league, but we’re now just in the beginning of December.
“Let’s see what happens in February and March when you’re losing a bit of form or you need a bigger squad or the players are injured.”
Barnes Warns Villa Of Injuries Derailing Their Season
Villa are also competing in the Europa Conference, a tournament that Emery appears eager to succeed in. Participating in additional competitions brings more fixtures, less time for training and recovery, and, most critically, a higher potential for injuries. This is a concern that Barnes has highlighted for Villa.
“That’s the thing, you look at Tottenham a few weeks ago. They were flying until they picked up a few injuries.
“So of course, you may say they’re aiming to win the league. And we’ve seen it done, but I don’t think that they will be able to win the league this year, but anything can happen.
“As I said, wait until February, March, then you can see how it’s shaping up. And of course, if you’re still up there with a chance, then you can actually make a better assessment as to whether they can win the league or not.”
John McGinn Has Been Sensational This Season
John McGinn has been a standout performer for Aston Villa this season, captivating fans with his dynamism and skill. He’s not just a player on the pitch; he’s a beloved figure in the dressing room, earning admiration from both teammates and staff alike. This season has seen McGinn take his game to new heights. Renowned for his energetic, all-action approach, he’s evolved, showing a remarkable ability to adapt.
McGinn has been finding a new gear in the left half-space, transitioning into a more advanced midfield role. His influence hasn’t gone unnoticed, with Barnes expressing immense appreciation for the Scotsman’s contribution to the Villa side, adding an exciting layer to their tactical approach.
“He is quality. McGinn is just a quality footballer. Obviously, if you look at him in terms of the shape he is, he’s not a thoroughbred footballer in terms of the way he looks and the way he moves, but he’s good on the ball.
“He’s strong, he’s got good ability, he’s got good awareness, he defends well, you know, he’s an all action midfield player. He’s been sensational but so have Villa as a team.
“Ollie Watkins obviously has been scoring a lot of goals and he works hard for the team as well. So those two have really been the standout ones for me, but McGinn particularly has been probably the most impressive.”
Barnes Makes Top-Four Claim
While Barnes has tempered expectations regarding Villa’s title chances, he strongly believes they can secure a top-four finish this season. They are expected to be in contention with teams like Newcastle, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Tottenham. According to Barnes, as things currently stand, either Villa or Newcastle are the teams most likely to clinch the fourth spot.
“Villa or Newcastle are the most likely to finish in the top four to be honest. But things can change. The big test will be in February and March. How do they handle injuries? Can they deal with the schedule? Can you grind a result out? Play through bad form?
“Whilst Chelsea and Manchester United have bigger squads they’ve shown so much inconsistency so finding the harmony will be hard for them.”
“It’s not so much their wins that have impressed me. It’s the performances. They performed really well recently. I’ve not seen many teams outperform Manchester City and defend so well against Arsenal.
“They’ve had some great performances and they’ve been consistent under Unai Emery.”
Aston Villa are set to return to action this weekend, as they take on Brentford away from home, in what could potentially be a tricky test for Unai Emery’s side. Villa are priced at 23/20 on Virgin Bet to win this match.
