Aston Villa: Unai Emery in ‘driving seat’ for Champions League after new UEFA developments
Aston Villa are now “in the driving seat” in the race for Champions League football after new developments involving England’s coefficient, according to Alan Hutton.
Unai Emery’s side currently sit fourth in the Premier League, three points ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham, with Ange Postecoglou’s side considered the Villans’ only real competitor in the race for the top four.
While there had been a suggestion that a fifth-placed finish could be enough to guarantee Champions League qualification this season, Premier League sides’ early continental exits this term have all but ended those hopes [BBC Sport, 19 April].
Although Spurs have a game in hand on Villa to try and close the gap before the end of the season, Hutton believes Emery’s side’s “solid” backline will ensure that they qualify for Europe’s premier competition next season.
“From Tottenham’s point of view, their games are a lot harder,” Hutton told Villa News.
“They’re off of the back of a really disappointing result. Whereas Villa, they go to Arsenal and by the way, nobody would have fancied them, so to go and keep a clean sheet, score two goals, and play really well, their confidence is high.
“For me, they’re in the driving seat. I know Tottenham have still got the game in hand but I just think Villa at this moment in time look a little bit more solid when you see them play compared to what happened to Spurs the other day.
“It will be an interesting one, I know we keep saying there is a lot of football to be played, big games but for me, I think Villa are just in front for now.”
Will Aston Villa and Tottenham qualify for the Champions League if they finish fifth in the Premier League?
It’s safe to say there have been plenty of twists and turns already in the race for the top four this season. Only a matter of weeks ago most supporters assumed Postecoglou’s side were favourites as they ran out 4-0 winners at Villa Park.
But Emery’s Villa have been in inspired form as of late, both in the Premier League and Europe and while one game doesn’t define a season, their win over Arsenal at the Emirates showed that they’re capable of beating the league’s best.
There is plenty of work still to be done between now and the end of the season and the Villans will need to ensure that key stars such as Ollie Watkins, Douglas Luiz and Emi Martinez remain fit and available to secure their place.
But if Emery and his side continue to perform to the standard they’ve shown so far this season in the Premier League, fourth place will be their spot to lose.
In other Aston Villa news, transfer talk around Martinez won’t “go away” as a “big money” offer has been mooted at Villa Park
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