Ederson delivers brutally honest verdict of Tottenham and Aston Villa’s title chances

Ederson says Tottenham and Aston Villa have no hope of challenging Manchester City for the Premier League title, despite their two rivals being hot on the Blues’ tails. City have two games in hand on Spurs and Villa heading into tonight’s clash with Brentford.

Villa are level on points with Pep Guardiola’s men, with Spurs a further two points behind. But Ederson feels only Liverpool and Arsenal can challenge his team for glory this year.

“It’s easy to list the contenders for the Premier League,” said Ederson. “There’s Liverpool, us, Arsenal, Tottenham who started the season very well, playing great football, but there are also other teams having great campaigns.

“Aston Villa are playing very well, playing good football with a great manager and great players. But I think that the title race is between Liverpool, City and Arsenal. I think they are the three favourites to win the Premier League.”

No team in Premier League history has won four consecutive titles and Ederson is confident that the Treble winners can come out on top.

“Of course, it’s our objective for this season, our ambition,” the Brazilian added. “The team is focused, all of the players have their feet on the ground. They’re giving their all every day, preparing in the best way to be ready for the next match.

“I think that we have a great dressing room, with young players who like to work hard, to dedicate themselves to the maximum. When it’s time to joke we joke, when it’s time to work, we work hard.”

Kevin De Bruyne has returned to full fitness and is expected to start against Brentford. “It’s just like chess – you have to protect the King!” Ederson said of his Belgian team-mate.

“Now we have our ‘King’ back, one of the best at assists in Premier League history, third in the list now. We’re so happy to have him back and playing good football, especially after such a long time out. He’s a player that our team has missed a lot because he has such ability – he finds passes that very few players can find.

“He gets assists, scores goals, plays good football, he keeps the ball, so I’m very happy that he’s back and that he has returned to his high level. I hope that he can help us a lot for the rest of the season, not only him, but the whole group.”