Analysis: No escaping Aston Villa title talk after statement Arsenal win

Saturday’s 2-1 win over Arsenal was the type of statement result to create new believers, both in the dressing room, in the stands and outside the Midlands, where the wider football world may finally, at long last, start waking-up to what is happening at Villa Park.

It wasn’t just the manner of it, with Emi Buendia’s 95th minute, last-kick winner sparking wild scenes of celebration and memories to last 40,000 lifetimes.

More significant was the fact Villa were fully deserving of their victory. Had Buendia’s shot not hit the roof of the net but instead flown over the bar, Arsenal would have been much the happier with the 1-1 draw. Just like Villa’s position in the table, now just three points behind the leaders, the result was no fluke.

“They are, when you look at where they are,” replied Gunners boss Mikel Arteta, when asked post-match whether Villa were now rivals in the title race.

Two years to the week earlier, Pep Guardiola had sat in the same press room and said much the same after his Manchester City team had been downed by Emery’s Villa.

Back then, Guardiola could be reasonably confident a Villa team threatening the Premier League summit for the first time and every bit the surprise package would be unable to last the pace.

Now, neither he nor Arteta can be anywhere near so confident.