It goes without saying that Aston Villa are having one of their best seasons in many a year. The Villains are flying high in the Premier League, not to mention the Europa League and the team shows no signs of letting up. In years gone by, challenges by Villa have petered out, but Unai Emery seems to have his men focused. To be frank, a title win looks slightly out of reach, but there is a very tantalising prize of Champions League football within touching distance.
While much of the betting focus goes on the race for the Premier League title, which Villa are not ruled out of, and the Premier League relegation betting markets, which have been made all the more interesting by the threat of points deductions, there is a pulsating race for the Top 4. Villa are the betting favourites to secure that 4th place, albeit only marginally ahead of Tottenham. It could go to the wire. But these key games will go a long way to deciding things:
Please note that dates are subject to change for television broadcasting
Sunday 10th March – Tottenham (H)
The crunch tie between Villa and Top 4 rivals Spurs is on the horizon. While the papers will probably try to frame it as a pseudo-cup final, there will still be plenty of games left to make up the points should Villa slip up. That said, it is a crucial tie, and if Villa can continue their brilliant home form, they may take a commanding lead in the table over Tottenham. Arguably, it’s the most important game of Unai Emery’s Villa career thus far. Bring it on.
Wednesday 3rd April – Man City (A)
To be frank about it, Villa’s remaining schedule is tough, as they have to play the three best teams in the league in a matter of weeks. First up, it’s the reigning champions Man City at the Etihad. There is a sense that City have the bit between their teeth now, and they will be in relentless pursuit of yet another Premier League title. This will be tough.
Saturday 13th April – Arsenal (A)
Ten days after facing City, Villa will be up against fellow title hopefuls Arsenal. Villa did beat City and Arsenal at home already this season, so it’s not as if Emery’s men will lack for confidence. But it will be a tall order to go to the Emirates and claim something. You get the impression that Emery would be happy with a point from each of these games.
Saturday 11th May – Liverpool (H)
Villa went to Anfield in September and came away empty-handed, with the Reds securing a 3-0 victory. There was a sense at the time that Liverpool were in a different class to Villa, and while we can still argue that is the case, Villa have grown in the months that came after. While the Villa Park faithful may make a difference here, it’s still going to be a difficult task. It’s the penultimate game of the season, and we would love a crystal ball to see where Villa will be in the table at this point.
Sunday 18th May – Crystal Palace (A)
And here we have it, the final game of the season. Will Villa be comfortable in the Top 4 at this point? Or will they require other teams to slip up? If you were wondering, Tottenham will be playing at Sheffield United. Manchester United, who still have an outside chance of sneaking into the Top 4, will be away at Brighton. It could be a nail-biting ninety minutes for Villa fans. But what comes after – will Villa qualify for Europe’s premier competition for the first time since the early 1980s?
