Aston Villa will be playing Champions League football next season for the first time since 1983.
Unai Emery has done a stellar job this season and his team have been rewarded with a place alongside Europe’s elite.
Aston Villa recorded a stunning 3-3 draw against Liverpool on Monday night and were then waiting for the result of Tottenham’s home clash against Manchester City on Tuesday night.
Ange Postecoglou’s side ended up losing 2-0 and the game was being watched by the Aston Villa players, staff, family members and fans at the awards dinner ceremony.
As you can imagine, the scenes when Erling Haaland scored his late penalty were one of joy, elation and utter relief that they have managed to get over the line.
Before a ball was kicked at the start of the campaign, Michael Owen backed the Midlands club to finish sixth in the Premier League table.
The former striker was hyping the team up and backing them to do big things in August.
When Villa’s Champions League spot was sealed, Owen reacted with delight and stated that it was ‘well deserved’, as he told Premier League Productions (14/05/24 at 22:35 pm).
The former striker hailed Emery and the job he has done by labelling him ‘the most hard-working manager out there’.
The Villa boss is known for his high demands and how he feeds a lot of information into his players.
As you can see, it has clearly worked and Owen thinks this is just the start for the club. They now deserve to be mentioned alongside the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Newcastle United and Tottenham, in regards to competing near the top of the table.
Unai Emery guides Aston Villa to the Champions League
“What a picture,” responded Owen to Emery’s celebration as Villa’s Champions League spot was confirmed. “The joy. Long season. Lots of work he has put in. He’s the most hard-working manager out there. But look at that emotion! Not just him, but the players around him. Absolutely fantastic.
“Well deserved. I think they have been really entertaining. They have had an incredible home record, certainly for the first two-thirds of the season. They were almost unbeatable. I would be really excited if I was an Aston Villa fan. Not just because of the results of this season. But I think they have a bit of money behind them.
“They are now going to get the riches that come with the Champions League. They’ve got a good squad anyway. They have had a few injuries. I think they can be better anyway. I think they have a brilliant manager that will take them to the next level. We look at teams like Manchester United, Newcastle, Tottenham and Chelsea. All these teams that are pushing to get to the top. Aston Villa have to be in that conversation now. They have proved it this year and they have a lot going for them that they could go and push on again next year.”
From the Championship to the Champions League
Over five years ago, Villa were stuck in England’s second tier and fearful of rotting away in the lower leagues.
The team had just lost the play-off final to Fulham, were in a financial mess and they needed bailing out.
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That’s when co-owners Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens stepped in. They stopped Villa from dropping into oblivion and got them back on track.
Dean Smith started the journey and now it is being continued by Emery.
The former Villa boss deserves huge credit for getting Villa back on their feet and now Emery is taking the club to places fans have been dreaming of.
