Richard Keys makes shock Aston Villa prediction – ‘Why not?’
Richard Keys has been hugely impressed by Aston Villa’s Champions League performances as they prepare for their last-16 second-leg tie against Club Brugge.
The Villans came away from Belgium with a 3-1 victory last Tuesday (4 March), giving them a great advantage before Wednesday’s return tie at Villa Park on Wednesday (12 March).
Nevertheless, their opponents have shown their ability to pull out a big result away from home having done so against Atalanta previously in the Champions League, so there is plenty of work to be done by Unai Emery’s side still.
Richard Keys makes Aston Villa Champions League prediction
An early goal from Leon Bailey before a Club Brugge own goal and a Marco Asensio penalty saw Villa earn a healthy advantage away from home.
However, an experienced head coach in Emery will know that his side cannot feel too comfortable yet with a big night of football ahead of them to get through to the next round.
The West Midlands outfit have been a little hit-and-miss in the Premier League this season but are only two points away from the top five and remain in contention for the Champions League and the FA Cup, with Emery doing a stellar job.
| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals for | Goals against | Goal difference | Points |
| 29 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 41 | 45 | -4 | 45 |
There have been suggestions that Emery’s main Villa priority is the Champions League in the closing weeks as they look to pull off a remarkable achievement.
Writing in his blog (10 March), Richard Keys echoed this view point and thinks Villa could pull off a shock upset in Europe’s premier competition: ” Anyway – Arsenal have come up short. So have Villa [in the Premier League].
“If they’d had a go they might have got close – or even won it, but I’ve had the feeling all season Emery has identified the CL as his primary target. He loves Europe.
“Villa surprised us all back in 1982 so why not again? That’s maybe how Emery is thinking. Europe is certainly his signature dish.”
Emery looking to grant Aston Villa success
Villa have struggled at times this season with managing an increased playing schedule but overall it has been another extremely competitive campaign by the Villans.
Emery’s side are very much competing still and have plenty to play for this season with two trophies still on offer as well as another European adventure next season.
The West Midlands outfit could have certainly done better in the Premier League this season but Keys’ claim that they could have been battling much higher up the table seems a bit of a reach, especially given their success of late has been a steady build.
That being said, Keys could be on to something when he speaks about the possibility of Villa shocking people to win the Champions League this term.
It will not be an easy thing to do but Emery is a well-experienced European manager and will be prepared to manage his side correctly to see them through.
There’s still some way to go but if Villa can see out their game against Club Brugge, you can’t see why they wouldn’t give it a very good go.