Pundit admits he was wrong about Unai Emery & Aston Villa after statement Man City win as top-four claim made

Former Chelsea man turned pundit Pat Nevin has voluntarily eaten his words after seeing Aston Villa stun Manchester City on Wednesday night. Leon Bailey's goal saw off the reigning champions at Villa Park, helping Unai Emery's men leapfrog City in the Premier League standings. Villa produced an incredible performance as City were limited to just two shots, with Guardiola's side not having a shot after the 11th minute.

Villa's season got off to a rough start, losing 5-1 to Newcastle United in their first game of the season, but there have been positive signs aplenty since then, with Villa storming their way into third place, and indeed into the Premier League title conversation, even if we are still relatively early in the campaign.

Emery arrived at Villa with plenty of doubters, given his time at Arsenal did not go swimmingly, although he had proved elsewhere in his career that he can achieve success and silverware, and he arrived after doing a fine job with Villarreal, landing them their first ever major trophy in the form of the Europa League.

He now has Villa on a similarly successful path, and pundit Nevin is happy to take back his early-season doubts after seeing the Midlands club deliver a statement win against City. He said on BBC Sport: "How wrong I was about Villa after seeing them get thrashed 5-1 up at Newcastle United on the opening weekend of the season?

"Emery has got this side playing together, as a unit and as a team. The belief and attitude from every single player... there was no fear at any point against Manchester City, one of the best teams we have seen for many years.

"This is a special team that Emery has put together. I don't think you can bet against them finishing in the top four this year. Plenty may think they are just visiting but I think they've got what it takes."