Less than three months after avoiding relegation by a single point, Aston Villa can go top of the Premier League if they avoid defeat by Leeds on Friday after a remarkable turnaround in fortunes.
Ross Barkley’s glorious stoppage-time strike sealed their fourth consecutive victory and should make people sit up and take notice just as much as the 7-2 triumph over champions Liverpool a fortnight ago. They now have the only 100 per cent record in the top five leagues in England.
Barkley ran to celebrate with club doctor Ricky Shamji after boss Dean Smith revealed the player had not trained until Saturday due to a knee problem.