Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris thrilled with 'unbelievable' Aston Villa ongoing situation - BBC pundit

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 believes Aston Villa owners Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris will be delighted to see Unai Emery getting closer to achieving their goal.

Villa moved up to sixth in the Premier League table at the weekend with an impressive 3-0 thrashing of Carabao Cup finalists Newcastle United at Villa Park.

Eddie Howe's side had been a surprise package this season but Emery's Villa have emerged as the new boys on the block in the bid to qualify for European football next term.

Villa are on course for a Europa League spot but they're only six points behind fourth-placed Newcastle with seven games left to play.

Hutton admits it'll be difficult but he's very impressed by the work Emery's done and he sees the club's form continuing so long as key players can remain consistent.

"It's genuinely unbelievable," Hutton told Villa News.

"The atmosphere at games is incredible and to think we were 16th or 17th when Gerrard was sacked and now they're sixth.

"I know Brighton and Liverpool are chasing but they're still in a very strong position and playing with so much confidence.

"Every player is playing with confidence. John McGinn, Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa, Ashley Young. All these guys are playing at a high level.

"For what the manager's done in a short space of time since he came in, it's quite incredible.

"It makes you think what he can do when he has a pre-season and when he's got players in that he knows and trust. Who knows where they can go?

"This is what the owners wanted. They see the vision of Villa playing in Europe and one change of manager and they're nearly there.

"Of course, they need to be perfect between now and the end of the season and they have some tough games. But at this moment in time, I don't think any team wants to play them."

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