Blues flying but Maresca says they aren't in title race

Enzo Maresca does not believe his Chelsea side are in the English Premier League title race, despite an impressive start to the season in his first campaign at Stamford Bridge.

Victory over Aston Villa at home on Dec 1 would be a seventh win in 13 league games under the Italian, who was appointed as Mauricio Pochettino's successor in June.

Ahead of the clash, Chelsea were fourth in the table, level on 22 points with Arsenal, who could leapfrog them should they beat West Ham United on Nov 30. The result of that match was unavailable at press time.

The Blues, who are nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool, have won twice and drawn twice since losing to the Reds on Oct 20.

They are in the hunt to return to the Champions League after two seasons away and Maresca has fashioned an effective team from a bloated squad.

But the 44-year-old Italian was keen to play down suggestions that his side could be the one to end City's four-year title streak this season.