Emery challenges Pep Guardiola

But tonight, Pep Guardiola's opponent will be the best manager in English football in 2023. There are still 6 games left before the end of the calendar year, but Aston Villa have already won 22 Premier League matches. Never in the Premier League era have they won so many in a year. The last time Villa won more than 22 matches in a year was in 1980. The result? Not only did they win the national championship in the 1980-1981 season, they also won the European Cup in the 1981-1982 season. That is the kind of magnificence that Villa fans only see once, in each generation!

Coach Emery is having success with Aston Villa

Emery has only been leading Villa for a little over a year, replacing Steven Gerrard since November last year. Looking back at Villa's first 38 matches (equivalent to 1 season) under Emery, it is surprising to see that the team's score is only below 2 other teams in the Premier League, Arsenal and of course Manchester City (Man City). Therefore, it is not surprising that Emery's team is currently in the top 4. This is the first time in 14 years that Villa entered December as a top 4 team on the English pitch. Pep Guardiola's Man City is too "fierce". But considering their own conditions and circumstances, Unai Emery's Aston Villa is perhaps more commendable and proud!

In just the next 4 days, Villa will continuously face 2 of the most formidable opponents today: champions Man City and the top team Arsenal. Win tonight, Villa will surpass Man City in the rankings - something that was almost unimaginable before the season started. And in such a "scenario", how exciting will the "Super Sunday" match with Arsenal this weekend be!

Note: Villa have always won at home, and have never scored less than 3 goals, in the Premier League this season. Emery's team will be the home team in both upcoming big matches. Looking at Man City, we can see that they have not won in the last 3 rounds. Never in the Guardiola era have Man City continuously lost points like that. Villa do not have to fear the team that "won 4" last season.

Not long ago, coach Emery still denied Aston Villa's ability to compete for a place in the top 4. He said his team was weaker than at least 7 other teams (anyone could name those 7 teams right away - just because of their reputation). But for now, Villa only need to win 2 consecutive home matches, then let's not talk about being in the top 4. Some people will consider them a candidate for the championship! Leicester City also did not dare to receive any compliments or admiration, did not dare to set any "lofty" goals, before actually winning the Premier League in 2016!

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