Pundit Stephen Warnock has voiced his opinion on Aston Villa’s top-four hopes after Unai Emery’s side lost 4-0 to Tottenham on Sunday afternoon.
Last week was one to forget for Aston Villa, who saw two players sent off and failed to score over their two critical fixtures.
The 0-0 draw against Ajax that saw Ezri Konsa see red was less disappointing than Sunday afternoon’s defeat to Tottenham, in which Unai Emery’s side conceded four at home.
While the Villans have the chance to progress into the next round of the Europa Conference League with the second leg against Ajax at Villa Park, the squad’s top-four hopes took a knock against the Lilywhites.
Now that only two points separate Spurs in fifth and Villa in fourth, not eased by the North Londoners having a game in hand, the Villans will hope to make things right with 10 games to go in the race for fourth place.
What Stephen Warnock has said about Aston Villa’s top four hopes
Speaking in reaction to the 4-0 defeat to Ange Postecoglou’s side on The 2 Robbies podcast, pundit Stephen Warnock identified one area that he believes will be detrimental to Villa in the run-in.
“At the beginning of the season, you would’ve said 6th and try and have a run in the Europa Conference League however, some of the football they’ve played has been phenomenal but they don’t have the depth and that’s the big issue.”
After finishing seventh last campaign, regardless of whether Villa get top four, the progression shown by Emery’s side is impressive with just 10 games left to go in the season.
Warnock also touched upon the impact that Villa’s injuries have had on their goal to finish in the Champions League places.
“You think at the beginning of the season to lose Tyrone Mings, Buendia and then lose Kamara, and he’s vitally important.”
It could be worse, but it could be a lot better for Aston Villa
At the time of Boubacar Kamara’s injury, many thought that losing the Frenchman could spark Villa’s downfall based on what he brings to Emery’s side and the irreplaceable aura he possesses.
John McGinn stepped in and thrived in the role following the midfielder’s ACL blow which not only relieved some pressure but showcased just how adaptable this squad can be.
Now, the Scotsman is suspended for three games following his red card against Spurs, leaving the midfield even more bare and handing Emery another headache for selection ahead of three difficult fixtures.
West Ham, Wolves and Manchester City are the next three challenges that the Villans face, three matchups that will see their depth stretched to a limit that perhaps hasn’t yet been seen this campaign.
Returning to Warnock’s comments, depth will play a significant part in who wins the race for fourth however, having seen how Villa can keep up with the rest despite their abysmal injury record this term, don’t write anyone off yet.
