Former Aston Villa striker, Tony Cascarino believes that Aston Villa will finish above Spurs and achieve a Champions League spot in the Premier League.
It has been a great start to the season for Aston Villa with them currently sitting just three points off the top of the league.
Under the reign of Unai Emery, Villa have gone from 17th to 5th in a year and look like genuine top-four contenders.
In recent seasons, historically huge sides like Manchester United and Chelsea have struggled, leaving the door open for new sides to break through.
With Newcastle United securing fourth spot last campaign, there is proof that this high-level finish is possible.
This season started with Tottenham Hotspur taking the lead and looking unbeatable at times under Ange Postecoglu. With that being said, injuries and suspensions have hampered their form in their last two games and the hype is quieting down.
With injuries to James Maddison and Micky Van de Ven, Villa fans are hopeful of a win in North London next time out.
What has Tony Cascarino said?
Speaking on TalkSport, via Twitter, the former Villa forward, Tony Cascarino was asked about his manager of the year.
With Jurgen Klopp and Postecoglu also considered, the Irishman was in no doubts as to who he thought it should be.
On that, he said: “I’m going to go more for Unai Emery because, I think, I will be proven right that Villa will finish above Spurs by the end of the season and make the Champions League spots.”
It is a bold claim but looking at the season so far and Spurs’ injuries, it may not be the craziest shout from the ex-forward.
With that being said, Natalie Sawyers was left quite surprised by the prediction, but Cascarino didn’t back down.
Continuing on, he added: “Why? Because they’ve got a really good team. Really good team, love the way they’re set up. Will they go in the transfer market to improve on what they’ve got? I like a lot of their players, I like the way their fullbacks, from Matty Cash to Lucas Digne, are used.
“They’ve got a really strong midfield, Douglas Luiz, obviously John McGinn, Ramsey could be back soon and the forward line picks itself, pace and power.”
Looking at the quality that the Villans have at their disposal, it is a surprise that they don’t get more media attention. Although many Villa fans won’t mind that, as the old saying goes ‘Do you want to bet against us?’
Finishing off by returning to his claim, Cascarino said: “I think they’ll finish above Spurs and that’ll be an extraordinary achievement if they make Champions League football, which I think they will.”
If the Villans can secure Champions League football this season it would be magic from Mister Emery.
