Aston Villa have seen their Champions League hopes dented after what happened on Wednesday evening.
Sunday’s 2-0 win over Arsenal saw Unai Emery’s side leap back into the top four. Crucially, Villa have regained control after their mid-season blip in March.
Tottenham’s inconsistent form was always going to present opportunities, something Villa emphatically capitalised on at The Emirates.
A fourth-place finish will, as standard, secure a place in Europe’s premier competition next season. However, due to the Champions League expanding in the 2024/25 campaign, fifth could also qualify on one condition.
Aston Villa’s Champions League dream just got harder
The continent’s elite competition is set to expand for the first time since 2003/04. Four more clubs are set to be introduced, taking the total number of participants up to 36 from 32.
The ‘Swiss’ format will see teams play eight matches in the qualifying stage – an equal number of home and away – with the top eight progressing to the last 16. The remaining sides will face a two-legged playoff.
As a result, two extra spots are set to be rewarded to Europe’s best-performing leagues. However, the Premier League is now playing catch up after what happened on Wednesday.
Current UEFA coefficient
Manchester City’s penalty defeat to Real Madrid, coupled with Arsenal’s loss to Bayern Munich, means England’s top tier has dropped below Italy and Germany in the coefficient ranking.
With Liverpool trailing to Atalanta and West Ham United facing a daunting task against Bayer Leverkusen, the rankings could be set in stone come Friday morning.
A win for Xabi Alonso’s side would rule out fifth spot being enough to qualify.
Aston Villa’s task now clear ahead of Premier League run-in
If Bayer Leverkusen progress on Thursday, Aston Villa’s task becomes apparent. Emery’s goal will be to finish in the top four, and now the importance has been ramped up.
Sunday’s victory will go a long way in boosting Villa’s confidence after an indifferent run of form. The draw to Brentford was undoubtedly concerning, but it feels as if Villa are now firmly back on track heading into the latter stages of the season.
A winnable clash against Bournemouth follows Thursday’s Conference League quarter-final. With Tottenham not in action, there’s a golden chance to pile the pressure on Ange Postecoglou’s side.
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