‘Aston Villa handed positive top four omen’ after what happened in Walsall defeat
Aston Villa began pre-season with a defeat against Walsall on Wednesday.
As is tradition, the Villans returned to action ahead of the new campaign with a clash against the Saddlers at the Pallet-Track Bescot Stadium on 16 July.
It is fair to say that the clash didn’t go how Unai Emery would have wanted, as the home side secured a 1-0 win in a largely drab affair.
With that being said, there may be an element of good fortune surrounding the events in WS1, which is bound to be music to the ears of the Villa Park faithful.
Aston Villa’s Champions League hopes boosted v Walsall
On the face of it, a defeat against a League Two outfit does seem like the worst possible way for Aston Villa to begin what is going to be a busy summer of preparations.
However, the Villa squad was filled with youngsters, with few first-team stars taking a place in the two 11’s that were utilised. This saw debutant Yeimar Mosquera catch the eye at the Bescot alongside Pau Torres in the back line for the away side.
While it wasn’t the start to pre-season Emery would have wanted, Walsall’s win may prove to be the catalyst for the Villans to once again secure a place in the UEFA Champions League next season.
The last time Villa failed to beat the Saddlers in pre-season, Villa finished fourth in the Premier League.
Back in July 2023, Emery’s men could only manage a draw to begin their summer despite an Ollie Watkins strike from the penalty spot.
The following campaign finished with the claret and blue outfit in fourth, something which could act as the perfect omen for the new season.
Aston Villa could be in line for a top-four finish
Anything that could help the B6 club finish back inside the Champions League places will be a welcome boost for everyone associated with Villa Park.
| Year | Finish |
| 2022/23 | 7th |
| 2023/24 | 4th |
| 2024/25 | 6th |
This is especially the case looking ahead to a season in the Europa League under Emery. Good, but it’s not quite the glitz and glamour of Europe’s elite competition.
As a result, the Spaniard will be hoping to once again see the best from his key players to earn a top-four finish, just as he did back in 2023.
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