Villa are lucky others have stumbled sooner and for longer this season – making certain they’ve maintained a good grip on third place till now.

Chelsea have dropped 17 factors from successful positions at Stamford Bridge and 19 factors general within the Premier League this season.

They go to Arsenal on Sunday hoping to capitalise on Villa’s newest slip – earlier than travelling to Villa Park on Wednesday for a sport which might outline each groups’ seasons.

Lille, within the Europa League on March 12, and a visit to Outdated Trafford on 15 March will then loom giant for Villa.

Particular person kind has additionally plummeted, with Ollie Watkins scoring simply as soon as in 11 video games – paying homage to the spell the place he scored just one aim within the opening 19 matches – whereas Morgan Rogers is on an identical streak.

The hunch was sparked by accidents to Boubacar Kamara, John McGinn and Youri Tielemans final month as Villa’s lack of depth was uncovered.

Gamers argued between themselves as Ezri Konsa – who additionally had a flashpoint with followers on the finish – and Amadou Onana urged Emi Buendia to depart the pitch faster as he was substituted.

The cracks are displaying and even the gamers are admitting to feeling the stress.

“It does weigh on us but it surely should not,” mentioned Rogers. “We should be right here and we should always not neglect that.

“Our run recently has not been pretty much as good as regular however that’s the battle of the Premier League. We’re going to get again to our good run of wins.

“We set our requirements excessive and we’ve the flexibility to win each sport. Clearly that isn’t sensible however we’re taking part in good soccer as an entire and there may be nothing to fret about.

“They [the next fixtures] are the video games you wish to play and, with a lot on the road, we have to present why we should be the place we’re.”