Villa crashed the party and the title race is back on

HOLD on to your horses, Premier League fans.

We have a title race this year. Perhaps this is the jinx that appears every time a team look complete, well-balanced and deep enough to win it all.​

It began with Liverpool holding a five-point lead, as pundits declared a procession after the club “won the summer transfer window.”

Then Arsenal built a five-point lead after 12 games, and the same pundits once again declared a procession for Mikel Arteta’s men.​

What no one factored in is that in football, nothing is over until the fat lady sings. The gap is now two points as Unai Emery’s men haunt his former club again.​

The match at Villa Park showed exactly why both teams are in the title conversation. Both are well-drilled, well-organised and tactically sharp. Villa controlled the first half. Arsenal equalised after Arteta made several adjustments. Emery then made five substitutions that helped Villa score the winner in stoppage time.​

It was a fully deserved victory. This is the same Villa side that started the season without a win, yet Emery has now collected nine wins in 10 matches, with the only blemish being the loss against a struggling Liverpool. Arsenal fans must regret mocking Emery during his time at the Emirates because it is now three wins in four for him. Can Aston Villa actually contend?

If they can sustain this level, it would be a great story for the league.​

Arsenal fans need not panic. This is only a blip and not the usual December collapse. Arsenal played well but conceded late. Expect Arteta’s men to bounce back in the next league match. There is no need to hit the panic button yet since Manchester City are the ones breathing down their neck after Pep Guardiola closed the gap to two points. City are now on a three-match winning streak.​

Rayan Cherki dictated the win against Sunderland. He had another outstanding performance, which included a rabona assist for Phil Foden. Guardiola finally realised that Foden is better in the middle rather than out wide.

Foden is now in spectacular form and could be the wildcard England need for the upcoming World Cup. The clean sheet will please Guardiola because his best title-winning sides were always defensively solid. He is searching for consistency in both attack and defence.​

Elland Road was bouncing again as it welcomed another big club in five days. Chelsea suffered in midweek, and even after Liverpool took a two-nil lead, the Leeds faithful stayed loud and pushed the home side to a comeback. Liverpool once again failed to manage the game and conceded late. Another stop-start showing, and the hole around Arne Slot grows deeper.​

The drama at Elland Road did not end on the pitch. Mohamed Salah dropped a controversial interview in the mixed zone after the match. This is now three games from the bench for Salah, and the second match in which he did not even come on. Cody Gakpo continues to get minutes, but Salah does not. Liverpool are now facing their own version of Ten Hag versus Cristiano Ronaldo. Slot against Salah. Will the fans back the manager or the superstar?

Time will tell.​

Newcastle moved to within one point of Sunderland heading into Matchweek 16 after beating Burnley at St James’ Park. The victory was settled in the first half with an Olimpico from Bruno Guimaraes and a penalty from Anthony Gordon. Burnley hurt themselves further when Lucas Pires got sent off. The first Tyne-Wear derby of the season will be explosive as the Stadium of Light will be rocking.​

Thomas Frank won his first match against his former club Brentford. Even better, the win arrived at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, which has been starved of a victory. Xavi Simons had his best performance of the season, and perhaps Frank has finally found the formula to unlock Spurs at home.​

The Premier League is heating up now, and the mid-table battle remains brutally competitive. There is no such thing as a guaranteed win each week. The top teams must bring their best in every match. In this league, nothing is promised unless you are facing Wolves or Liverpool. This shows once again why this is the most competitive league in the world.