The view of the standing table this season does provide a differenced where Aston Villa can occupy 2nd placed and is superior to Arsenal and Manchester City, but the differenced in points between the top 4 is not that far. So Aston Villa is still struggle to maintain a better position, because of the previous season Aston Villa is in a poor ranking, precisely among mediocre clubs, but because of the coach hard working, Aston Villa is now at a better level and can be among the bigs clubs in the Premier League.
Aston Villa has made remarkable progress this season. Transitioning from a mid-table team in previous seasons, they are now in the top 4 and have the potential to compete on an equal footing for the championship with giants like Man City, Arsenal, and Liverpool. Clearly, in terms of economic strength and squad quality, Aston Villa can't be compared to the other big clubs. What they possess, though, is stability in their playing style and a united determination among players under the skillful leadership of coach Unai Emery.
Overall, Aston Villa is stronger defensively, and it's their solid defense that allows them to succeed in counterattacks. They are developing a high defensive line with an offside trap, a somewhat risky approach that is making a difference for Aston Villa this season. Additionally, the inconsistencies in styleplay Tottenham, Man City, and more recently, Arsenal, coupled with the poor form of Manchester United and Chelsea, contribute to Aston Villa's rise in the standings this season.
Yes, Aston Villa has indeed experienced very significant progress this season and this cannot be separated from the hard work of Unai Emery who was able to make the club compete among the big Premier League clubs. But the strength that Aston Villa currently has is not playing games even though the depth of the squad they lost to Arsenal and Manchester City but in reality Aston Villa were able to beat them. This was not just luck because they also fought hard to be able to beat these top clubs, from a financial perspective I agree that Aston Villa does not have the finances of a top club.
Aston Villa's defense, I admit, they maintain a very tight defense, but sometimes Aston Villa starts to lose concentration if they start to concede, like in the match against Manchester United, where initially Aston Villa took the lead in the first half, but Manchester United was able to provide a counterattack which made Astin Villa lose focused in the second half until finally losing. This must be a lesson for Aston Villa so as not to lose focused when have conceded to the opposing club.