
Aston Villa have made no secret of their aim to return to the Champions League. They've been there before and they want more, and the truth is their freedom to bring in players while achievement financial compliance probably depends upon it.
Villa are still pushing towards that goal on two fronts. They're third in the Premier League with 23 matches played despite no appreciable improvement in the transfer market, and have booked their place in the last 16 of the Europa League.