Villa homes in on title dream

Unai Emery insists Aston Villa will not win the Premier League, but the Spaniard's ecstatic celebration of Morgan Rogers' decisive strike against Manchester United revealed his true feelings about its title charge.

Usually a composed figure on the touchline, Emery put his emotions on display for all to see after Rogers produced his second fine finish of the afternoon to clinch a pulsating 2-1 win at Villa Park on Sunday.

The England midfielder's 57th-minute goal prompted Emery to roar in delight before ripping off his jacket and hurling it into the air.

It was a fascinating insight into Emery's mindset in the midst of Villa's remarkable 10-match winning run in all competitions.

Villa sits third in the Premier League, just three points adrift of leader Arsenal and one behind second-placed Manchester City as it chases a first English title since 1981.

As he has in the past when Villa has flirted with title contention, Emery insists his team is the underdog, claiming Villa cannot overhaul the experience and quality of clubs such as Arsenal and City, despite beating them both at home already this season.

"We are not a contender," Emery said. "Of course we beat Arsenal and Manchester City here, but they have massive things tactically with players on a high level.

"We have as well but to be a contender in front of them is not our reality."

But Emery's coy approach to Villa's growing title momentum cannot obscure the facts.

Villa is on its best winning run in all competitions since 1914, when it secured 11 successive victories.

It has won seven consecutive topflight matches for the first time since finishing second under Graham Taylor in 1989-90.

Emery has turned Villa Park into a fortress, with just one home league defeat in 2025, fewer than any other team.

Villa's rise to join the title race is even more impressive as it comes after its worst start to a league campaign for 28 years, featuring just two points and one goal scored in its opening five matches.

"Of course we are being consistent in more or less three years, and getting into European positions, but we must continue to be humble," Emery said.

"Understanding how we can get points like we did. We want to keep the same level by being intelligent, competitive, consistent and demanding."