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Unai Emery claims Aston Villa were "perhaps the most punished team" during the summer transfer window, which affected their start to the season.

Villa failed to win any of their first six matches in all competitions and did not score their first league goal until their fifth match, against 10-man Sunderland.

However, since then they have won 12 of their last 14 matches, including eight of their last nine in the Premier League.

On Saturday, Villa have the chance to close the gap to league leaders Arsenal to just three points, although Emery has played down his team’s chances of competing for the title.

During the summer, Villa signed five players, including three loan deals completed on deadline day, following the permanent arrivals of Marco Bizot and Evann Guessand.

Jaco

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