Arsenal and Man City put on notice with damning title verdict - 'Not genuine contenders'

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Joleon Lescott says he has never believed Aston Villa are true Premier League title contenders. Unai Emery's side sit third in the top-flight table as things stand.

Villa have recovered from a dire start to the campaign and are now just seven points off leaders Arsenal . They suffered quite the setback in their last outing, though, falling to defeat at home to Brentford .

From November to December last year, they went on an eight-game winning streak in the top flight, and it was after this that they entered title contention for some . Both the Gunners and Manchester City appear to be the other two sides in the running, though others can't be ruled out with 14 games remaining.

Irrespective of how many matches are left, Lescott, who played for both City and Villa, claims he has never thought Emery's side are genuine contenders for the crown. He cites their lack of strength down the home stretch as a glaring worry.

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"I was never really convinced Villa were genuine contenders for the title," said Lescott speaking on In The Mixer brought to you by Sky Bet.

"I don't know if they are able to win five in a row down the stretch. I don't know if they have that strength. Whereas I think Manchester City and Arsenal can do that."

Villa boss Emery holds an opinion not so far adrift from Lescott's. The Spaniard was asked last month after a 2-0 away win against Newcastle about whether he considered his team to be in the top-flight title running.

Emery, much like Lescott, was reluctant to include Villa in the race. But he did admit he would change his tune if they are still in touching distance with a few games to go.

"Okay, calm. Keep balance is the only objective I have in my mind," said Emery when questioned about his side's title aspirations back in January.

"The only way I know is work every day and if you are performing consistently, maybe you can do better and maybe [after] 35 [games] we can speak differently.

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"Of course, we are competing against Arsenal and we are competing against Manchester City," he continued. "But we are [also] competing against Chelsea .

"We are competing against Liverpool , we are competing against Newcastle and against Tottenham … Wow, the power they have. But we are competing and we are there. We are getting points."

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