BBC pundit makes exciting Aston Villa transfer prediction if Champions League qualification is secured
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…
Alan Hutton is excited for what the future holds at Aston Villa in terms of the players they could attract should they finish in the Premier League top four.
The Villans have defeated Manchester City and Arsenal in their previous two matches – part of a club-record run of 15 successive home league wins – and find themselves third with 16 games played.
On three of the previous four occasions they have registered 35 points or more at this stage of a top-flight campaign, they have gone on to finish as champions, while finishing second in the other of those seasons [OptaJoe].
While some Villa fans are quietly dreaming of a first title success in over 40 years, finishing in a Champions League spot would be a huge achievement in its own right.
Villa already boast some world-class gems in their ranks, thanks in large to the pulling power of manager Unai Emery, but Hutton believes their list of talents will only grow if they qualify for UEFA’s showpiece club competition.
“It’s absolutely amazing,” Hutton told Villa News of what he has seen so far this season. “Since I joined the club [in 2011], it’s been an absolute roller coaster.
“Whether it be getting to a cup final, getting relegated, failing to get back up, promotion, getting into Europe – the whole works. They’ve just been transformed thanks to the right people in the right places making the decisions.
“The next kick on now is whether they can make the Champions League. If they do the fans would go absolutely mental – it’d be crazy.
“Then the level of player you can attract goes up because you’re a Champions League team.
“So that opens up a lot of avenues and doors for them, and they’ve got the money to back it also, so it’s going to be very interesting going forward.”
In other Aston Villa news, an 83% player may force Emery into a rethink if he can take his big chance this week.