Wayne Rooney has got himself in trouble with an Aston Villa hero after dismissing the Villains’ Premier League title hopes.
Unai Emery’s side has been in tremendous form of late, winning 10 matches on the spin in all competitions.
Villa actually had a sticky start to the campaign but have been unstoppable of late and are now third in the table, just three points behind leaders Arsenal and one behind second-place Manchester City.
A 2-1 victory over Manchester United on Sunday was their latest success, as England star Morgan Rogers shone again, scoring both goals.
Despite their immense form, Rooney cannot see Villa challenging to win the league come May, but former Villains striker Gabby Agbonlahor disagrees.
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Agbonlahor feels Rooney’s claim that Arsenal and Manchester City are better than Villa has to be wrong as his former team have beaten both the Gunners and City in recent weeks.
Speaking on talkSPORT, the Villa icon said: ‘What I don’t understand, I’ve seen a clip on social media this morning. It was Dion Dublin and Wayne Rooney on Match of the Day. Dion Dublin rightly says that they’re in a title race, Aston Villa, you have to look at what they’ve done so far.
‘And then it went on to Wayne Rooney, asked the same question and Rooney says, I don’t think they’re in a title race, I think Arsenal and Manchester City are better teams than them.
‘Everyone’s thinking to themselves, Villa comfortably beat Manchester City, comfortably. Tight game with Arsenal, they win in the last minute. They’ve already beat the two teams you’re talking about, Mr Rooney. One point behind Manchester City and three points behind Arsenal.
‘So his argument isn’t valid. His argument is invalid. They’ve won 11 of the last 12, Villa! 10 in a row all comps, seven in a row in the Premier League.’
Rooney was asked on Match of the Day whether he sees Villa as contesting a title race and he said: ‘No. I don’t, I don’t think they are.
‘That’s not me being disrespectful to Aston Villa. They’re just not as good as Arsenal or Man City. They’re doing excellent, they’re doing great, but to win the title, it takes a lot and I just don’t think they’re going to do it.
‘I just think it takes something special to win the Premier League title and I don’t think Aston Villa are at the level of an Arsenal or a Man City.’
Agbonlahor is expecting big things from his former club this season, expecting them to lift a trophy and reckons a statue will be built of Unai Emery at Villa Park.
‘He’s been outstanding since he come in,’ he said of the Spaniard. ‘It wasn’t working under [Steven] Gerrard, relegation zone. He’s come in and what he’s done has been… I think even statue-worth.
‘I know it’s coming, I know this season Aston Villa will win a trophy.’
