As of today, Aston Villa are third in the league, 7 points above fifth place Arsenal and 5 points behind first place Man United. That really is quite incredible. However, a defining period in their season is about to unfold over the next 2 months or so. Forgetting about the UEFA cup and the F.A. Cup, in that space of time Aston Villa play the following teams: Chelsea, Stoke, Man City, Tottenham, Liverpool, Man Utd, Everton, and West Ham. In other words, 6 of the top 10 plus Spurs and Stoke (whom they have lost to already this season).
That is one hell of a fixture list, and one can't help but think that either Villa will be top at the end of it, or they will find their place in the top 4 under severe threat, be it from Arsenal or possibly Everton.
Such a fixture list is potentially of huge benefit to the Gunners, who must capitalise if they are serious about qualifying for the Champions League next season. Either Villa will be taking points off Liverpool and Chelsea, or Chelsea and Liverpool will be taking points off Villa. At this stage of the season either of those scenarios should be welcomed by Wenger, so if Arsenal can start scoring goals again as their creative players return from injury and so forth there could be an almighty scramble for that much coveted 4th place spot between the teams currently residing in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th place.
Forgetting all of that, this period will nonetheless be a very interesting study on just how good Villa acually are. Are they capable of going to Anfield and Old Trafford and getting something? We shall see.
That is one hell of a fixture list, and one can't help but think that either Villa will be top at the end of it, or they will find their place in the top 4 under severe threat, be it from Arsenal or possibly Everton.
Such a fixture list is potentially of huge benefit to the Gunners, who must capitalise if they are serious about qualifying for the Champions League next season. Either Villa will be taking points off Liverpool and Chelsea, or Chelsea and Liverpool will be taking points off Villa. At this stage of the season either of those scenarios should be welcomed by Wenger, so if Arsenal can start scoring goals again as their creative players return from injury and so forth there could be an almighty scramble for that much coveted 4th place spot between the teams currently residing in 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th place.
Forgetting all of that, this period will nonetheless be a very interesting study on just how good Villa acually are. Are they capable of going to Anfield and Old Trafford and getting something? We shall see.
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