Unai Emery has claimed Aston Villa are not in the Premier League title race, insisting such talk "does not make sense".
Villa take on Emery's former club Arsenal on Tuesday in a huge clash at the top of the table.
Arsenal lead the way but are just three points clear of Villa, who came from behind to beat Chelsea 2-1 on Saturday and seal a club-record equalling 11th straight win in all competitions.
Villa are unbeaten in their last two away league games against Arsenal, beating them 2-0 in April 2024 and drawing 2-2 in January last season.
They last had a longer run without defeat at the Emirates between 2006-07 and 2008-09 (three games), while they also beat the Gunners at Villa Park earlier in December.
Emery, though, believes title talk is premature.
He said: "To speak about the title does not make sense for us.
"Now, in December, it does not make sense. We are motivated and excited, but for the moment, we are motivated for the match.
"With three points difference between them and us, this is our motivation.
"With how we are performing, we can feel proud of everything we are building. Tactically, mentally, individually. We are trying to feel inside as a family, we are spending more time here than with family.
"The next challenge is very difficult, the most difficult challenge we can face now, because it's the best team."
The Opta supercomputer's predictions seem to tally with Emery's sentiment, with Villa handed just a 7.5% chance of winning the title.
"We must be proud of everything we're doing but we must be humble and confident and we must be ambitious as well," Emery added.
"They [Arsenal] are playing fantastic, being so strong in everything. They are getting better and better. We are so motivated to get this moment to play against them.
"For them, it is very important because three weeks ago we beat them, and they will usually want to show their power against us.
"This is the next step forward. Our test is how we can face them with our structure."
Arsenal have lost three of their last five Premier League matches against Villa, who could now complete a Premier League double over the Gunners for the third time in six seasons.
Reaackortu
0
I like the coach he doesn't make noise before he play
arsenal5364
1
this match will test arsenal 💯💯💯 we shall see how good our boys are .....gunners for life London forever ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Kidso
2
a good fight. can't wait. this match will test and prove Arsenal. can't wait.
pium
0
Screw you if we converted 20 per cent of our chances we would have a big lead. Our conversation rate is awful.
Yeah conversation from set pieces and counter attacks
AFerJzXK4182
0
I got to be honest with you guys, Aston Vila really mean business this season. The team is well organized, Kudos to Unai Emery.
Richard0010
3
He’s smart coach, he doesn’t want any pressure on his players. He’s in there for the title this season… Mark my word, Arsenal will chop beating tomorrow so you guys can know that they’re not joking at all. They mean it 👍🏼
pieaciuz
0
emery always do this if ur side is winning show the ambition the league is not there for only top teams to win he did it last year and his side start struggle if your in it plan to win it and not to just avoid relegation give your players the drive to push for history and greatness
resabekpst
1
Villa can make top four not for the title
Sensible words.
JKTbase
0
this is the same comment marresca used on Chelsea
resabekpst
2
I DO BELIEVE THAT ASTON VILLA HAS A SAY IN THIS SEASON TITLE IF THEY CONTINUE WITH THEIR CURRENT FORM .
If’s a big word mate, they have been very fortunate recently, we will know when the bubble bursts. We Arsenal should have beaten them earlier this month. We will see.
resabekpst
1
Imo Villa have better chances than Arsenal. When other teams find a way against avoiding and defending set pieces Arsenal they gonna be useless.
Screw you if we converted 20 per cent of our chances we would have a big lead. Our conversation rate is awful.
Voacnortz
1
Villa can make top four not for the title
pium
1
Imo Villa have better chances than Arsenal. When other teams find a way against avoiding and defending set pieces Arsenal they gonna be useless.
Gannymalta
0
If Villa scores the first goal, then they will lose it at Emirates. It is easy to be carried away when you are coming into the game with extreme ambition. It will be very difficult for Villa to gain maximum points at Emirates. Arsenal's loss at Villa was an embarrassment that motivates Gunners to launch a counter!
Rmulbah1992
1
I DO BELIEVE THAT ASTON VILLA HAS A SAY IN THIS SEASON TITLE IF THEY CONTINUE WITH THEIR CURRENT FORM .