BBC Journalist Phil McNulty has given his verdict on Aston Villa’s chances of finishing in the top four, indicating which team he believes is in “pole position” to take fourth place.
Aston Villa, led by Unai Emery, is a team that is determined to compete and is leading the race for the top four.
The Villans, who last week overtook Spurs to reclaim their Champions League positions, will be in fourth place going into matchday 26 of the 2023–24 Premier League season.
Emery’s present position in the top four is a major accomplishment in on of itself, given that the Midlands club was sitting in 11th place with 31 points at this point in the previous season.
After Villa’s Saturday victory over Fulham, BBC journalist Phil McNulty has given his verdict on the top-four race and where he believes the Villans are poised.
Phil McNulty shares his opinion on Aston Villa top four chances
In a Q&A following the roundup of the weekend’s fixtures in the top flight, McNulty was quizzed about Villa and earning a Champions League spot.
“The injuries are a real blow to Villa but I do think Unai Emery has got something very good going at Villa Park and they have a massive opportunity to reach the top four.”
“In a previous question I tipped Manchester United to sneak into the top four but I genuinely have little conviction on who might get the fourth place out of Villa, United and Spurs. All three are in that fight.”
“What we do know is that Villa are fourth right now and in pole position, so it is in their hands.”
To get to the top four, Aston Villa will have to strive to defeat Man United and Spurs.
As McNulty pointed out, Emery’s team has suffered a great deal of injuries this season, which has hurt their prospects of finishing in fourth place, at least on paper.
The Spaniard has persisted in demonstrating the versatility of his team and his strategies to get the team over its string of injuries this season.
It is unprecedented for a manager of Villa to lose three important players to ACL injuries, but he has managed to keep the Midlands club playing at its best by accepting the hand he was given.
Following their matchday 24 loss to Manchester United, Spurs closed the distance between fifth and sixth place and surpassed Villa to enter top four.
It appeared nearly impossible for the Villans to turn things around once more after saying goodbye to Boubacar Kamara for the season during the match, but they managed to.
With United already finding their groove and Spurs only two points behind, Villa needs to keep the momentum going. They can only focus on overcoming their upcoming obstacles.
The triumph over Fulham changed the course of the top four battle once more, putting Emery’s team in fourth place with a chance to extend their lead in pole.
This weekend’s Spurs absence allows the Villans to clear some space between fourth and fifth as Nottingham Forest gets ready to visit Villa Park.
After Forest, the Midlands side visit Luton Town and then welcome Ange Postecoglou’s side to Birmingham in what will be a thriller in the race for Champions League.
Villa has been plagued by injuries this season, but their tenacity has kept them in the top four, and the pressure is on Emery to surpass expectations once more.