Aston Villa have missed two glorious chances of returning to the top four.
Starting with the 2-2 draw at newly-promoted Ipswich Town a fortnight ago to Aston Villa’s goalless draw against Manchester United on Sunday.
Win those two, as expected, then Aston Villa are second, in fact, just win one of them and they are in the top four.
It remains to be seen how that will affect the team down the line because those sides were there for the taking.
But still, those in the Midlands have made a healthy start, they are sitting fifth in the table after seven matches and have lost only one game in all competitions.
Some feared whether Champions League football would disrupt Villa’s form, but as of this moment, they are dealing with it pretty well.
It helps that Villa have won their opening two Champions League matches, so that will put less stress on the team after the international break.
Don Hutchison shared his thoughts on the top four race and how he now makes Chelsea, who are sitting fourth in the table, the ‘favourites’ amongst the chasing pack.
The former Premier League midfielder, after backtracking, gave the London club a ‘40%’ chance of finishing in the top four and Emery’s side ‘30%’, as he told ESPN.
Chelsea ‘favourites’ over Aston Villa to finish in the top four
“They (Chelsea) have come out of nowhere because I had Newcastle (to finish) fourth (at the start of the campaign),” shared Hutchison.
“I would probably make Chelsea favourites amongst the teams that are trying to get there. 60% (for Chelsea to finish in the top four).
On the percentage chance of Villa getting the top four: “Villa reminds me of when Newcastle were in the Champions League. It’s going to be tough for them, Let me just backtrack a little bit – yes, Villa are in the conversation. Let me go, 40% Chelsea, 30% Villa, the other two can split (15%) Tottenham and Newcastle.”
Aston Villa’s squad
This is where things become interesting because Villa have depth in quality and it will now be tested in these coming months.
Several players have had niggling injuries, but thankfully, they will be back after the break.
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Ezri Konsa is expected to return in a few weeks, so this international break will do him the world of good, and so will John McGinn, Amadou Onana and Jacob Ramsey.
Not forgetting that Matty Cash started his first game in a while at the weekend and Leon Bailey still seems to be carrying a knock, so this rest will benefit him too.
But the best news of the lot is Boubacar Kamara and Tyrone Mings are back in action, their return could be game-changing.
