Aston Villa: ‘Bad night’ leaves Unai Emery in desperate need of ‘massive’ turn of events
Dan Bardell believes Aston Villa could be impacted by the latest change to the UEFA coefficient ranking as fifth place may not guarantee Champions League football this season.
Under Unai Emery this season, the hunt for Champions League has been at the forefront as Villa battle with Spurs for fourth place.
There has been potential for fifth place in the Premier League to gain access to the elite competition this season. This will depend on the success of English clubs in European competition but after the past week’s results, it isn’t looking likely right now.
Thanks to this uncertainty, Bardell believes that Villa need to finish in the top four to take any worry away come the end of the season.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bardell said: “I’ve been saying for weeks, I just want to finish fourth.
“Even when people were saying we were in the title race I was like I just want to finish fourth and guarantee Champions League.
“The coefficient changes every week at the moment and it was a bad night for the coefficient with the English team’s results. We were the only team that won in Europe over this European week so as it stands now, I don’t think fifth gets it.
“It doesn’t look like the coefficient is going to be kind to us at the moment, to finish in fourth is absolutely massive.”
Will Aston Villa secure a Champions League place?
The game at The Emirates certainly came as a surprise off the back of some frustrating moments against Lille and Brentford. Throw in the showing against another title challenger in Manchester City, a defeat looked likely.
With Tottenham being thrashed 4-0 away at Newcastle United, it felt like a free hit for the Villans in the top-four chase. What came to pass was a superb 2-0 win thanks to two late, quick goals from Leon Bailey and Ollie Watkins.
An excellent second-half performance saw plenty of plaudits come flooding in as Emery secured a league double over his former employers.
Spurs are now three points behind Villa and have a game in hand but their goal difference advantage was shattered by the Newcastle game.
This won’t be helped by the fact that Ange Postecoglou’s side plays Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool in their next three Premier League games.
After many weeks of uncertainty in the race for the top four, it finally feels as if Villa have taken back the initiative.
In other Aston Villa news, Watkins has been named in the Erling Haaland conversation.
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