The new Premier League season is now upon us as Aston Villa look to improve upon their achievements from the last campaign.
Unai Emery has worked wonders at Villa since he joined the club. The Birmingham outfit has now reached Europe in back-to-back seasons and are set to embark on their Champions League journey.
However, as with every campaign, there are plenty of twists and turns before the season concludes.
After another summer of preparations, the new 2024/25 campaign is set to begin on Saturday for Villa as they face West Ham.
Therefore, ready for the new season, our team of expert writers at Aston Villa News has predicted where the Villians will finish by the campaign’s end.
Tom Griffin
Newcastle United showed how difficult it was to maintain form in the league while juggling European commitments and Aston Villa could encounter similar struggles.
The Villans shocked the entire Premier League and even the fanbase when they finished fourth. But competing in the Champions League and sustaining those performance levels brings a whole new ball game.
Although they’ve brought in three new midfielders in Ross Barkley, Enzo Barrenechea and Amadou Onana, I still don’t think they’ve fully covered the loss of Douglas Luiz, who was an integral player for Emery.
They’re also short on numbers defensively, an area they struggled last term, though I expect at least one new centre-back to arrive before the window closes.
If Villa can go deep into the Champions League and finish in the European spots, a sixth-place finish can be regarded as a success.
Predicted finish: 6th
Rosie Tudball
I think this season will be a lot different for Villa than the past two under Unai Emery.
Qualifying for the Champions League was a huge success for the Villans last term, however, the changes this summer indicate that the next few years could resemble a transition period for the squad.
Losing Douglas Luiz could prove to be a bigger issue than just losing a body in midfield, he was so crucial to how Emery’s side played last season.
Due to the change and how Villa’s transfer window has gone so far, I struggle to see Villa making the top four again however, I’d say a spot in the top eight would be a successful season with the alterations in mind.
Predicted finish: 7th
Read more: Everything you need to know about Aston Villa’s upcoming Champions League campaign.
Amir Mir
You shouldn’t take too much from pre-season, but it has been pretty poor. The issue here is that it reflects Aston Villa’s performances from the second half of last season when they collapsed from a defensive standpoint.
That is the biggest worry going into the new campaign for Unai Emery and I think it could cost the team a few valuable places.
I am a season-ticket holder at Villa, so without any bias, I think it will be a seventh-placed finish, simply because we will end up conceding far too many goals. Scoring goals isn’t a worry at all.
From Ollie Watkins to Jacob Ramsey returning after his injury problems. We have goals all over the shop, but it’s the other side that will end up letting the team down.
Either way, in Emery we trust and he will be backed, no matter what happens.
Predicted finish: 7th
Fraser Spinney
Despite the signings made, I believe the loss of Douglas Luiz is a big one and it could take Unai Emery a little while to get the balance right with his midfield.
I expect Spurs and Manchester United to both be better too and I just think a top-six finish might prove difficult with the rigours of Champions League football.
Predicted finish: 7th
Read more: Every confirmed Aston Villa signing and departure this summer.
Jack Dawson
Under the guidance of Unai Emery, Villa have achieved multiple feats that were unthinkable just three seasons ago. Another European campaign is on the horizon as they prepare to make their long-awaited return to the Champions League.
The summer has been a mixed one for Aston Villa, despite many high-profile signings, they are yet to fully upgrade their defence which caused them so many issues late last season.
This could no doubt cause problems, especially with teams such as Man United and Spurs improving their squads massively in the transfer window.
On top of this, the Champions League is also likely to take a toll on Villa. A new system is now set to begin in the European competitions meaning the club will now have to play eight games before the knockout stages.
Last season, Villa had the luxury of being able to rotate in the Conference League group stages due to the level of the opponents; that cannot happen in the Champions League.
A drop down the table will be expected by many of the Villa Park faithful, however, it remains to be seen if they qualify Europe for a third season running.
Predicted finish: 9th
