‘Amazing’ Aston Villa feeling as European football potentially within reach for Unai Emery – BBC pundit
We’re delighted to welcome former Aston Villa full-back Alan Hutton as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Villa Park…
It’s not impossible for Aston Villa to still qualify for European football this season due to how tight the Premier League table is, according to Alan Hutton.
Unai Emery’s men have 11 games left to play and they’re currently just four points away from seventh place, the lowest possible Premier League position to qualify for Europe in.
As it stands, Liverpool in sixth are on 42 points with Villa in 11th on 38 points and on a run that’s seen them win three and draw one of the last four games.
Hutton believes that finishing mid-table would be enough for Aston Villa this season but he admits that if results go their way, a spot in the Europa Conference League for the 2023/24 campaign could be on the cards.
When asked if finishing in a European spot is still on the cards, Hutton told Villa News: “Possibly. A lot of things are going to have to go in their favour.
“If you look from sixth to 11th, there aren’t many points in it.
“Brighton do have a couple of games in hand but there are a lot of teams in there that are fighting for it as well.
“Villa will have to go on a run and hope the teams above them drop points. But it’s close.
“It’s as close as it’s ever been and as a fan, it must be an amazing feeling to look up towards the European places rather than the relegation zone.
“Villa are in a good, healthy place this season and they’ll be looking to build on that next season.“
In order for a seventh-placed finish to be enough to qualify for Europe, Villa will need to realistically hope that either Manchester City or Manchester United win the FA Cup and not Brighton or Sheffield United.
In other Aston Villa news, a game-changing signing is on the cards at Villa Park this summer amid speculation of a big-name transfer.