Thoughts on The Last Two Rounds of Premier League Action

• Manchester United will have to improve to win the title. An insipid Old Trafford display against Aston Villa didn't even require the heroics Brad Friedel normally reserves for games against United for Villa to take all three points. The midfield was once again average at best, a feature repeated midweek against Wolves - so much so that Rooney and Berbatov both openly demonstarted their exasperation at the lack of service. And that was against a second string Wolves. United had a chance to add significantly to their goal difference - they may regret not doing so.
• The real talking point from that match was Wolves fielding a team that contained ten changes from the win at Spurs on Saturday. Mick McCarthy has been asked to explain his thinking behind this - but surely he is entitled to do whatever he feels will see Wolves still in the Premier League next August. However, in a season in which United have looked more mortal than ever before at home, maybe it was worth having a go with his first choice XI.
  
• Aston Villa are on the charge. A home win against Chelsea has been backed up with away wins against United, Liverpool, and now Sunderland. The whole dynamic of the team has changed since the emergence of Downing from injury with Milner now operating from a central position. It is bearing fruit for Villa...and (whisper it) even Emile Heskey is scoring the odd goal.
• Sunderland are in real danger of not capitalising on their excellent early season work. Since beating Arsenal, they have lost against Fulham, Wigan and Villa, while surrendering to a last minute equaliser against Portsmouth. They have only scored one goal in the process - Darren Bent needs some help from those around him.
  
• Manchester City and Mark Hughes simply aren't cutting the mustard considering the vast outlay since the new owners showed up with their untold riches. Results against the Big 4 are one thing, but Hughes hasn't been able to get his team motivated for the smaller fish in the league. Since the defeat of Chelsea, City have conceded 6 goals in drawing at Bolton and losing at Spurs. One wonders if Hughes has any chance of being around next Summer, and if he has any chance of being trusted with another wad of cash in January considering the results earned thus far with his recruits.
• Conversely, Spurs bounced back from the painful home reverse against Wolves to keep in touch with the leading pack. A decent performance and resounding scoreline against City must now be built upon.
• Speaking of building on results - Arsenals draw with Burnley is exactly the kind of outcome Wenger would have been dreading. Following a win at Anfield that should have ignited a run of results in pursuit of the title, Arsenal lose all momentum immediately. They need to stretch a run of wins together.
• Birmingham City - wow. Who could have seen this coming?
  
• West Ham - 8 goals conceded in three matches, 1 scored, no Carlton Cole, a retired Dean Ashton, and Chelsea at the weekend. It could be a long Christmas for Zola and his charges.....