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.
READ MORE: Tottenham's European fate could rest on Cristian Stellini's answer to the Dejan Kulusevski issue
Leapfrogging Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend after extending their fine form with victory over Nottingham Forest, the Europa League definitely looks like a realistic aim for Aston Villa. If their excellent run of form carries on, Villa could even catch Tottenham and look to pip them to fifth.
The sides do meet towards the end of the season, with Tottenham travelling to Birmingham on Saturday, May 13. Prior to then, the Villans could even do Spurs a couple of favours with crunch showdowns coming up against Newcastle United and Manchester United.
The first of those comes this weekend when the Magpies make the trip to Villa Park in Saturday's early kick-off. It promises to be a mouthwatering encounter as Villa have won six of their last seven games and Newcastle have hit form at just the right time to win five on the bounce and move into third.
As Tottenham are currently three points behind the north east club having played one game more, they could really up the pressure on them this weekend providing that they beat Bournemouth and then Aston Villa go and take points off Newcastle. Spurs' following fixture then comes at St James' Park as they face Newcastle in a real top-four tussle.
The following week when Tottenham travel to Merseyside to play Liverpool at Anfield, Villa could also give them another helping hand as they take on Manchester United at Old Trafford. Already getting the better of Erik ten Hag's men once this season, another positive result could really help Spurs out.
If results do go against Tottenham in the next few rounds and a Champions League finish is too much for them, Aston Villa could still have a big part to play when it comes to the Europa League. Although they could potentially be a direct rival in the run-in, Emery's side take on fellow European contenders Liverpool and Brighton in their final two league games of 2022/23 once they have hosted Tottenham at home.
Winning, just like losing, becomes a habit and Villa are currently reaping the rewards of appointing Emery and have their fans dreaming of European football once again. If their run carries on then they could certainly do Tottenham a favour or two before the month is out, but that could then also mean that Cristian Stellini's side have a new challenger in the process.
READ NEXT:
Cristian Stellini could be handed Tottenham boost vs Bournemouth that changes his thinking
Djed Spence benched, Gil returns to England, fans bewildered over Joe Rodon and Lo Celso stars
Harry Kane gives verdict on Antonio Conte Tottenham exit and Abdoulaye Doucoure Everton red card
Son Heung-min outlines Roberto De Zerbi Brighton tactic vs Tottenham that he took advantage of
The reason Roberto De Zerbi was upset with Cristian Stellini and what Romero did after Son goal
