A prediction from Sir Alex Ferguson following the opening weekend of the Premier League has re-emerged, and it is particularly poignant following the weekend's results.
The weekend's fixtures have completely changed the landscape of the Premier League, particularly at the top with Manchester City inheriting the top spot following disastrous results for Liverpool and Arsenal.
Liverpool were first to slip up, losing 1-0 at home to Crystal Palace despite creating enough chances to win the game by about five goals.
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This handed the opportunity for Mikel Arteta's side to move four points ahead of Liverpool, but the high-flying Aston Villa cruised to a 2-0 victory at The Emirates.
The result puts Villa above Spurs in fourth place despite Spurs having a game in hand. But given recent form and fixtures until the end of the season, Unai Emery's side are in a great position to secure Champions League football.
While many would consider Villa to be the surprise package of the season, their success was actually predicted at the start of the season by none other than Sir Alex.
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Following the opening weekend of the Premier League, Sir Alex was asked which side impressed him the most, and his answer baffled everyone at the time.
"To be honest with you I watched Aston Villa vs Newcastle and I couldn't believe the scoreline, honestly Aston Villa played some fantastic football and just lost some bad goals. Newcastle are going to be very difficult to beat in their own ground in particular," Ferguson explained.
Villa were thrashed 5-1 at St James' Park by Eddie Howe's side, but the former United manager insisted the scoreline didn't tell the full story.
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"It surprised me the game of football, I mean you can play teams off the park and not score so that's why I'm going with Aston Villa," He reiterated.
Villa have certainly proven Sir Alex right, with their play on the ball as well as their impressive work off it getting significant praise this season, particularly their offside trap which has rarely left them exposed.
They have also been helped with the form of individuals as striker Ollie Watkins has been on fire, scoring 19 goals in the league to date which is a joint record for the club equalling Christian Benteke's one-season total.
Topics: Aston Villa, Premier League, Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Champions League