Alan Shearer and Gary Lineker reacted to Aston Villa’s current situation after a damaging defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.
It was damaging in more ways than one because, not only do Aston Villa have to battle with Tottenham for Champions League football now, but they have also opened up the door for their weekend opponents.
There are six points between Manchester United in sixth and Spurs in fourth, with Unai Emery’s men possessing the better goal difference between the trio.
But Alan Shearer has made it clear that it would be ‘unbelievable’ if Aston Villa were to finish fourth at the end of the campaign, as he told The Rest is Football Podcast.
The Premier League’s all-time leading goalscorer added by saying that he ‘never ever once’ saw Aston Villa as title challengers, even though they were as far up as third in December.
There was that game against Sheffield United on Friday night, if Aston Villa had won it, then it would have seen them top the table, but instead, they dropped valuable points.
In truth, the team hasn’t been the same since then, with Gary Lineker in agreement with Alan Shearer in his latest assessment of the club.
Aston Villa in the Champions League
“They had a couple of dodgy results, Newcastle went there and dominated them, Chelsea went there in the FA Cup and dominated them,” said Shearer.
“I am like you. I think they played really well. All that was missing was those finishing touches in and around the 18-yard box. I didn’t see them as title contenders. Whenever you asked, when they were in and around their challenging, I never ever once thought they would be going for the title.
“If they can get into that Champions League spot in fourth position. That would be an incredible season for them. It’s going to be tough because they will have to battle it out with Spurs and Man United, maybe Newcastle.”
Lineker added: “Absolutely agree with that 100%.”
Aston Villa’s attack needs to step forward
The forward line just wasn’t at it on Sunday and it cost the team big time, with Ollie Watkins, in particular, dipping in form.
But the Villa forward line now needs to step up and produce the goods like never before because the defence is further weakened.
With Kamara set to be out of action, big worries about Ezri Konsa, the Villa backline is, once again, operating at 50%.
If Villa’s attackers continue to waste big chances, then just like against Man United, the team will just get punished and continue to drop more valuable points.
