Sergio Aguero names surprise rival for Arsenal retaining Premier League title

Manchester City icon Sergio Aguero has tipped Aston Villa to be in this season’s title race - but still thinks Arsenal are the team to beat. The 2026/27 season gets underway on Friday evening when they host Coventry City.

Mikel Arteta ’s side head into the campaign as defending champions, having ended their two-decade long wait for the crown. Aguero - who lifted the trophy on five occasions during his time with Manchester City - believes Arsenal are still favourites to secure another title.

Speaking to Stake , he said: “Arsenal were deserved champions and they’ve been doing a very good job with Arteta for several years now. Season after season they’ve brought in players who have strengthened what was a very young team and which now also has the experience needed to keep fighting for more trophies. And they’ve strengthened very well again.

“I think they’ll be the team to beat for everyone else. They have continued with a very clear playing philosophy and improved the areas where they needed to improve with their new signings.”

Despite tipping Arsenal for another crown, Aguero has warned Arteta’s side that they could face some serious competition, specifically from Unai Emery's Aston Villa .

He said: “I’d add Aston Villa into the title race, they’ve been doing a great job with Emery. This is a season with a lot of changes at the big clubs. We’ll have to see which one adapts the quickest and finds the consistency you need to stay in the title race until the end.

“You have to bear in mind that most of the usual contenders are starting new projects: Chelsea with Xabi Alonso, City with Maresca, Liverpool with Iraola, Tottenham with De Zerbi and United with Carrick. Some of them have been there a little longer, but they’re still basically rebuilding their teams.”

Away from Arsenal and Villa, Aguero has also tipped Chelsea to have a positive campaign under Xabi Alonso and believes that their lack of European football could be a blessing in disguise.

Aguero added: “Chelsea will be playing in fewer competitions and that will work in their favour in the Premier League . There will be less physical strain and fewer rotations. At the same time, it’s also true that new projects need a lot of playing time to become established, and in that sense they’ll have fewer opportunities. But as I said, having fewer games will ultimately be an advantage, especially in the final part of the season when the league is decided.

“They have signed Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck, who are players with proven careers in the Premier League and they can provide that experience and leadership that a team with ambitions always needs.”