Paul Lambert delivers verdict on Unai Emery and Aston Villa's Premier League title prospects
The latest Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive ahead of Saturday night's huge showdown with Arsenal
Paul Lambert has backed Aston Villa to mount a challenge for the Premier League title.
The former Claret & Blues boss, who was in charge at Villa Park for just under three years between 2012-2015, has been impressed with the work done by Unai Emery – and the manner in which Villa dismantled Man City on Wednesday night.
Villa get the chance to do that to another of the division’s pacesetters on Saturday evening when they take on leaders Arsenal knowing a 15th successive home win would put them within a point of the Gunners.
But Lambert believes third-placed Villa are already in the running for the crown. “In this moment, you have got to look at them as being a serious contender for it [the Premier League title] because their form is really good,” the Scot told the BBC World Service.
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“They’ve just beaten arguably the best team in Europe from last season and what Pep’s [Guardiola] done with Manchester City has been incredible, so they are in with a shout. You have got to look at that and think, well, they’re definitely in with a shout with it.”
The former Scotland midfielder praised Villa’s recruitment, particularly the signing of winger Moussa Diaby. “I just think they have good players there I really do,” said Lambert. “I think he’s [Unai Emery] bought really wisely. I saw Diaby play a long time ago at Leverkusen because I follow German football pretty well. I always wondered why he had never moved to a really big, big club.”