Despite how much he’s enjoying Aston Villa this season, Micah Richards does have one concern over Unai Emery’s surprise title push.
Despite how much he’s enjoying Aston Villa this season, Micah Richards does have one concern over Unai Emery’s surprise title push.
Richards was speaking to Chris Sutton on the BBC’s ‘The Monday Night Club’ and was airing his slight worry. Of course, by their own manager’s admission, Villa are now locked in the title race having beat Manchester City and Arsenal in succession.
And whilst Richards thinks Emery’s Villa can compete, he thinks their squad depth in attacking areas will see them come up short. Richards said: “You know what it takes to win a league, Chris. You know how hard it is to do that.
“You have to keep everybody fit. The only reason I am saying why Villa in my opinion won’t do it, is because of the attacking talent of Liverpool, Man City and maybe an Arsenal.
“They can compete, yes, they could keep it close but we are talking about getting over the edge.
“Now, if they were to buy in January. Now that’s a different conversation, if they bring in three top-quality players to get them over the line. But we are talking with the squad now, I don’t know if they have the squad to win it.”
Micah Richards thinks squad depth will stop Unai Emery from lifting the title with Villa
Of course, Richards is probably making a reference to Ollie Watkins in his words.
Although the striker has been fit and firing on all cylinders this season, he doesn’t have a ton of backup were he to fall injured.
19-year-old Jhon Duran looks like an exciting player, one full of potential, but he isn’t ready to lead a title push. And past the duo, Villa would then need to consider playing the likes of either Bertrand Traore or Leon Bailey centrally – hardly ideal.
Therefore, it does delineate how crucial Watkin’s fitness is to all of Villa’s aspirations this season. Micah Richards clearly thinks that Villa would be well advised to add to Unai Emery’s squad in January, and that may well be the case.
However, Villa were said to be targeting a different position entirely heading into the window. It certainly will be an interesting window to follow, one that now looks a huge opportunity for Emery’s side. And given their strong success with their summer transfers, there may already be a strong plan in place to further progress.