It appears that Tottenham may have a new rival when it comes to the fight for a European place in the final few weeks of the Premier League season. Previously looking like Spurs would be battling with Newcastle United, Manchester United, Brighton & Hove Albion and Liverpool for European football, Aston Villa have come from nowhere to put themselves firmly in the mix with eight games remaining.
Nervously looking over their shoulder at the relegation zone back in October, Villa parted with Steven Gerrard after 11 months at the helm and replaced him with the experienced Unai Emery. Instantly transforming their fortunes to move up the Premier League table, the Midlands club have really kicked on in 2023 and have lost only three of their last 14 league fixtures.
Winning on nine occasions in that period, with six of their victories coming in their last seven games, Villa are now in a very good position to secure an unlikely Europa League place. Currently sixth in the table and six points behind Spurs, a Champions League finish looks too much of an ask for Emery to conjure up unless there is a huge twist in the tale between now and the end of May.
