Three speaking factors from the Premier League weekend

Ollie Watkins stored Aston Villa within the hunt for the Premier League title with a formidable win at Chelsea to depart the highest three separated by simply three factors heading into the ultimate Premier League video games of 2025.

Arsenal maintained a two-point lead over Manchester Metropolis after they each battled to 2-1 wins in opposition to Brighton and Nottingham Forest respectively on Saturday.

On the again of an 11-game successful streak, Villa go to Arsenal subsequent on Tuesday in an enormous recreation within the title race.

On the different finish of the desk, West Ham are wanting more and more more likely to be a part of fellow strugglers Burnley and Wolves within the Championship subsequent season.

AFP Sports activities appears to be like at three speaking factors from the Premier League weekend:

Watkins provides X issue to Villa cost

Villa are having fun with their greatest run since 1914 to pressure themselves into an surprising problem for a primary league title in 45 years.

Unai Emery’s males had put themselves in that place with out a lot of a contribution from their high scorer for the previous 5 seasons.

Watkins had netted simply thrice this marketing campaign earlier than coming off the bench to show the sport at Stamford Bridge.

Emery revealed earlier this month that the England worldwide has been battling knee discomfort for greater than a 12 months, however he regarded again to his greatest contained in the field to place Chelsea to the sword.

“His mentality was wonderful, his dedication was wonderful,” stated Emery.

Watkins is hoping for extra to have a good time on his thirtieth birthday when Villa go to the Emirates, aiming to maneuver degree on factors with title favourites Arsenal.

If this does show to be a turning level in his season then Villa really can dream about ending a 30-year wait to win any trophy.

“I have not been the place I wished to be. However look I can use this as a marker now and and push on from right here,” stated Watkins.

Strain mounts on Maresca

Only a month in the past, Chelsea have been Arsenal’s closest challengers earlier than the 2 sides met at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues have gained simply as soon as in six league video games since to tumble out of the title race and right down to fifth.

Enzo Maresca took the prospect after his solely victory in that run — 2-0 over Everton earlier this month — to complain a couple of lack of assist contained in the membership for him and his gamers.

However the Italian is starting to exhaust the persistence of many Chelsea followers.

Maresca has credit score within the financial institution after successful the Convention League and Membership World Cup in his debut season.

However enjoying lengthy into the summer time in sapping situations to change into world champions is starting to take its toll.

Maresca may solely watch from the stands, serving a touchline ban, as his facet didn’t capitalise on a dominant first half earlier than crumbling as soon as Villa clicked into gear within the second half.

Emery’s potential to vary the sport additionally did little favours for the previous Leicester boss.

Watkins labelled his supervisor a “tactical genius” for a triple substitution and alter of form that turned the tide Villa’s means.

Maresca tried to reply however his personal triple change had no constructive affect and his subsequent resolution to withdraw Cole Palmer drew an offended response from the England worldwide.

West Ham woe

The Hammers are in determined hassle after a 1-0 house defeat to Fulham left them 5 factors adrift of security.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s arrival in east London impressed a run of eight factors from his first seven video games, however West Ham have taken simply two from the final 18 obtainable.

In the meantime, Leeds and Forest have discovered much better type to drag away from the underside three.

“We are able to spend hours and hours speaking about all of the facets, however mainly when you do not rating, the state of affairs that we’re in, all the things unhealthy occurs to us,” stated Nuno.