VILLA CONTENDERS & MAINOO'S ESCAPE

got Aston Villa into the position where, legitimately, they're title contenders? I think it's been a continuation of what Unai Emery has started since he's been at the club.

I really do.

We're seeing gradual progression.

And you mentioned the start of the season.

You're right.

Six games in all competitions, not one win.

And now they've won the last nine straight.

It must be said, the next three games coming up are going to be a huge test of their title aspirations.

I still believe that they'll get in the top five.

That'll be Manchester United at home, Chelsea away, and then Arsenal away.

But the other thing is quality of depth in the squad.

And, you know, let's just not forget, just before we go forward, remember last season against the eventual European champions, Paris, in the quarterfinals? They had them on the rack.

They did.

Donnarumma really sort of, you know, you could say pulled out some unbelievable saves to stop what was going to be one of the most unbelievable comebacks ever.

that we've witnessed in Champions League history.

But just a little quick on, I mean, you know, in terms of depth, you've got Lindelof coming in, you know, for Tyrone Mings.

So that quality for quality is huge.

You've got some great young players.

We saw Morgan Rogers score two absolutely fantastic goals on the weekend against West Ham.

And there's no panic.

I mean, they went down twice on the weekend, once after about 30 seconds, once again after the second half.

And I always look when teams, whether they're winning, losing, to be fair, or drawing, how they come out in the second half, because that tells me a lot about what's been talked about in the half-time break.

And they equalised pretty much five minutes later, went on to win the game.

But like I said, just hold fire.

These next three games are going to be so, so important.