Rooney Rules Villa Out of the Premier League Title Race
22 December 2025
Rooney's verdict on Villa's title bid
Wayne Rooney, the Manchester United legend, believes Aston Villa will not be able to challenge Arsenal and Manchester City for the Premier League title this season.
Current standings and reactions
Arsenal sit top on 39 points, two ahead of City, with Villa third on 36. Gary Neville agrees with Rooney, saying Villa deserve respect but will not win the league.
Further thoughts on Villa's bid
Rooney notes that Villa are not at the level of Arsenal or City. They play well and can deliver brilliant performances, but lifting the title requires something extra. After Dion Dublin suggested Villa remain in the race, Rooney responded that he did not think so, and that does not diminish Villa. He adds that they are not at Arsenal or City's level; they perform well, but winning the trophy demands more. When asked about Villa's winning streak and coach Unai Emery's experience, Rooney says that while Villa have made progress, the Premier League crown would require something special, and they are not at the level of Arsenal or City.
Punchlines
Punchline 1: If Villa somehow win the title, even the trophy would need a victory lap.
Punchline 2: And if that happened, football pundits would need therapy to explain the twist to their calculators.
