Peter Schmeichel warns Arsenal that rival club are 'absolutely' title contenders

Aston Villa are title contenders this season, says Peter Schmeichel (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel says Aston Villa should ‘absolutely’ be viewed as a genuine challenger for the Premier League title this season.

Villa have bounced back from a nightmare start to the campaign to establish themselves as the form team in the English top flight, with Unai Emery ’s men riding a nine-game winning streak in all competitions.

On Sunday afternoon, West Ham had looked on course to bring Villa’s run to an end as Mateus Fernandes and Jarrod Bowen found the net either side of Konstantinos Mavropanos’ own goal at the London Stadium.

But after regrouping at the break, an inspired Morgan Rogers completed a second-half brace to ensure the visitors came away from the capital with all three points.

The result means Villa sit just three points off top-of-the-table Arsenal and one point behind Manchester City after 16 games.

Emery’s side will look to pick off where they left of when they return to action at home to Manchester United next weekend.

Asked if he felt Villa were a serious title contender, Schmeichel – who spent one season at Villa Park as a player – told Viaplay: ‘Absolutely, yes… to go to the that stadium and West Ham , who have not performed well, but better in recent weeks.

Rogers scored twice as Villa came from behind to beat West Ham (Picture: Getty)

Emery sit third in the table, three points behind leaders Arsenal (Picture: Getty)

‘To go and get three points having been 2-0 down, that is strength.

‘That scares me a little bit because the next game we’re going to do is at Villa Park, Villa versus Manchester United , so I’m a little bit scared of that.’

Emery has been keen to play down talk of Villa potentially being in the conversation for the Premier League trophy this season, even after his side got the better of leaders Arsenal last weekend.

@metrosportuk Man City are eyeing up Arsenal 😈 Manchester City beat Crystal Palace 3-0 at Selhurst Park in the Premier League to go two points behind the league leaders, as Erling Haaland and Phil Foden shine once again for Pep Guardiola’s side. #mancity #crystalpalace #premierleague #haaland #arsenal ♬ original sound – Metro Sport – Metro Sport

But speaking to BBC Sport after the comeback victory over West Ham, the Spaniard admitted he and his squad were ‘feeling ambitious’ about what they could go on to achieve in the second half of the campaign.

‘The players are organised and disciplined in our structure tactically,’ he said.

‘They must show their quality in our game plan and today they showed it.

‘We are not feeling under pressure. we are feeling ambitious and we try to challenge in Europe and in the Premier League.

‘Enjoy each match, try to prepare, then rest. The players must feel comfortable doing it.

‘This is the process we are doing. Now it is Manchester United.’

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