Warnock discusses Aston Villa’s title push and transfers

Aston Villa have been performing extraordinarily well so far this season and currently find themselves third in the Premier League. But can they really challenge Arsenal and Manchester City for the title?

AceOdds.com talked to former Aston Villa player Stephen Warnock, who shared his thoughts on Aston Villa's chances to claim the title for the first time ever in the Premier League era.

He also talked about Morgan Rogers and Unai Emery, who have been key figures in their success again this season.

Last but not least, Warnock commented on Ollie Watkins and the interest in Brentford's Brazilian striker, Igor Thiago.

January will be crucial for Villa’s title hunt

The former Aston Villa star says that he expects it to be tough for the Villans to sustain a title charge, as they don’t have the same depth as Arsenal or Man City.

"I think it would be very difficult for Aston Villa to sustain a title charge. I think if this was March-April, I think we're having a different conversation and we're saying yeah they're in a title race."

"At the moment, on paper and where they sit in the league, yes they're in a title race. However, if you look at the squad, it's going to be very difficult for them to compete from now until the end of the season. If they pick up injuries or suspensions, it's going to be very tough for them."

The former England international says that January is going to be very important for the club as they have to make some reinforcements to stay in the title race.

"I think the big thing is what they can do in January. Can they buy players? They need other strikers in the building. They need more options. Ideally they probably need a new defender, a new midfielder and a new attacker if they could because they have picked up a few injuries. But you always need goals in your team if you're going to win games. Ollie Watkins' form will be a concern for Unai Emery."

"But yeah, what they've done so far has been quite brilliant. It shows the capabilities of the manager. I'm a huge fan of Unai Emery, I think he's magnificent but interestingly, he likes to work with a smaller squad.”

“You just wonder with European football and the Premier League, can he manage it and really stay within those top four positions. People are talking about a title race but I think the club as a whole would be delighted if they can get back to those Champions League positions."

This weekend, Aston Villa return to action when they face off against Manchester United on Sunday. They are currently priced at 11/10 to pick up all three points, and if you fancy backing them to do so, you can use our free bet calculator to see how much you could stand to earn.

Warnock questions Villa’s interest in Premier League star

Brazilian striker Igor Thiago has had a brilliant season so far, scoring 11 goals in the league. He has been linked with a move to Aston Villa recently, as their star striker Ollie Watkins has been below par.

Warnock questions whether Thiago wants the move, as he is the main striker at Brentford and would be looking to get a spot in the Brazilian squad at the World Cup next year.

"My big concern is it would have to be a big cheque to get Igor Thiago out of Brentford. Why would Brentford, at this moment in the season, want to sell him?"

"The other side of it is, from a player's point of view, we've got a World Cup coming in the summer. Would Igor Thiago think that by going to Aston Villa, that would elevate his status in the Premier League and to Carlo Ancelotti and that would give him a better platform to play for Brazil?"

"The other side of the coin, however, is does he look at the situation and say, 'I'm competing with Ollie Watkins, if he starts to find his form and I find myself on the bench, I'm not the main man anymore. If I stay at Brentford, I'm the main man and I continue to score goals in the Premier League, that would help Carlo Ancelotti notice that I can do it at the highest level. Is that a better situation?"

Warnock is also unsure if Brentford want to sell their top goalscorer, considering their current form and position in the league.

"So I think this is a tricky one for Igor Thiago if this was a situation where a move is on the cards and both parties are open to it. I just think Keith Andrews would not want to lose a striker of his ability, at this point in the season. Things are going exceptionally well for Keith Andrews in his first job."

"I don't think the board would want that to happen as well, unless they have an adequate replacement. We know Brentford's scouting system is exceptional. But you're asking someone to come in midway through the season, unless it was from the Premier League, to suddenly fire for Brentford and keep them in a good position."

"I just don't see this one happening, if I'm being completely honest, unless the cheque's big enough."

Big offers can come in for Morgan Rogers in the summer

Warnock also makes it clear that if Morgan Rogers continues his great form for the rest of the season and at the World Cup, some very big offers can come in, which will force the creative midfielder to consider whether he wants to stay at Aston Villa or move on.

"I think it depends on what you want as an individual. How far do you want to push yourself and where do you see yourself fitting in one of those bigger teams. Is it a regular starting place?"

"I think we'll know more in the summer. What I mean by that is if he starts for England in the World Cup and excels, then teams will start making bids for him and we'll see what level of bids come in but also where he sits and where Aston Villa fit."

"Again, does he want to be the main man at the football club, which he is at Aston Villa. I think people sometimes underestimate how big a football club Aston Villa is."

He points out Unai Emery as one of the key contributors to Rogers' good performances, as his game has improved under the Spanish manager.

"Sometimes you have to think of your relationship with a certain manager and how he gets the best out of you. I think Morgan Rogers' game has improved because of Unai Emery, because of the little tweaks that he makes in his game.”

“I've watched Emery coach on the training ground and it's absolutely phenomenal the level of detail that he goes into and how he makes you think about the game. I think Morgan Rogers' is one of the players who has benefited from that."

"So I think his decision, if he were to leave Aston Villa, would have to be, 'is this manager gonna continue to improve me or am I just going to a team that is gonna be a higher level'. I think it's going to be fascinating to see where he ends up."

Warnock also says that he is unsure whether Aston Villa will accept any offer coming in, he believes that Rogers can play for any team in the Premier League.

"Can he play for a top-four team? Absolutely he can. He's playing in one at the moment. They're third in the league. So he's capable of doing it, it's just whether Aston Villa will accept a bid for him. That bid will have to be huge as well. I think we all know that."

Emery is a better manager than Arteta

Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta are regularly compared, and it is a natural comparison as Emery managed Arsenal before his compatriot Arteta took over.

When asked about the comparison between the two of them, Warnock came with an answer which might be surprising to many.

"I think Unai Emery and Mikel Arteta are completely different, if I'm being honest. The only similarities I see is that they're Spanish and passionate. When I look at them tactically and how they like to set teams up and how they play, I think they've got two different styles of football. I think both of them are meticulous."

"When you look at Unai Emery and what he's achieved. He's a serial winner in the Europa League. We know his qualities. At the moment, for me, he's the superior manager because he's got a different budget than Mikel Arteta."

Warnock makes it clear that he thinks both are brilliant managers, but he thinks Emery's time at Arsenal is a bit underrated.

"If you look at the money that Mikel Arteta has spent in recent years and what he's been able to do at Arsenal, but the revenue streams are also different for Arsenal. When Unai Emery went to Arsenal, it was a massive ask to follow Arsene Wenger and he found life difficult. But he didn't have the control that Mikel Arteta has at Arsenal. He still did incredibly well at Arsenal. People forget his record at Arsenal."

"Both brilliant managers in their own right. Mikel Arteta, the next question for him is that can he get the Premier League over the line, or can he get a Champions League title, which will elevate his status as a manager. Emery has done that to a certain degree with the Europa League wins. Both brilliant managers."

Read more as Stephen Warnock issues a warning to Liverpool fans regarding Alexander Isak