After the weekend of action in the Premier League, Aston Villa have been made aware of what they must now do in order to finish in fourth place ahead of Spurs in the race for Champions League football.

It was another action-packed weekend of Premier League football and one that ended positively once more for Aston Villa. 

Though the Villans weren’t able to extend their winning streak to three games, Unai Emery’s side earned a point from a 2-2 draw with Chelsea, which could have easily ended in defeat. 

At Villa Park on Saturday night, the hosts lost control of their 2-0 lead in the second half, with the Blues scoring the match-winner in injury time which was later ruled out by VAR. 

It was a relief for Villa to see the fixture end as a draw in what was a disappointing performance to allow the visitors to creep back into the game however, the result was not greatly detrimental to the Villans’ top-four hopes.

On Sunday afternoon, all Villa eyes were on North London as Emery’s former club Arsenal beat Spurs 3-2 in the North London Derby, keeping the Lilywhites seven points behind the Midlands club with two games in hand.

Following the results of matchday 35, Villa have been handed the scenario they must follow in order to confirm Champions League qualification ahead of Spurs.

What Aston Villa must now do to qualify for the Champions League ahead of Spurs

Villa have three games left to play in the 2023/24 Premier League calendar, with a trip to the South Coast against Brighton next. 

After that, Emery’s side will host Liverpool and then end the season away to Crystal Palace, three challenging games that the Villans will hope to win.

The fact is however that Villa may not need to win all of their remaining games to qualify for the Champions League, as explained by journalist John Townley. 

Townley detailed that the Midlands club need four points from a possible nine against Brighton, Liverpool and Palace to reach the 71-point threshold, something that will be extremely difficult for Spurs to achieve. 

By securing a win and a draw from their final three games, Villa will put Spurs in a position where they must win four out of their five remaining fixtures, earning 12 points from a possible 15. 

The Champions League race is firmly in Aston Villa’s hands

While it’s not impossible for Spurs not to accumulate 12 points, it will be a remarkable feat if Ange Postecoglou’s side were to do so, with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City among those left to play.

It may not be easy for the Lilywhites to overcome Burnley, who are still fighting for survival, with their other game being a trip to Bramall Lane to face relegated Sheffield United.

Emery will be fired up to claim at least four points from Villa’s final three games, with this campaign having the potential to still serve up Champions League qualification and European silverware, a truly remarkable prospect.

Related Topics