Darren Bent has labelled Aston Villa ‘the team to watch’ in the 2023/24 Premier League season.
The former Aston Villa man and record signing believes that Unai Emery’s side could go even further this season, potentially challenging for a Champions League place.
While on TalkSport, when asked about who he believed were dark horses for the upcoming season, he named Villa as his choice.
“I think when you look at their recruitment and what they’re doing with Unai Emery, I’m not saying they’re going to win the league because I don’t think they will but I think they’ll be a lot closer to Europe,” Bent said.
The Midland outfit have signed Youri Tielemans, Pau Torres and Moussa Diaby this summer, adding to a squad that achieved European qualification last time out.
Bent felt that Champions League wasn’t beyond the realms of possibility: “Maybe even push it for long spells, the Champions League, so I’d probably say Villa are my outside bet.”
Aston Villa will definitely be in top four mix
Last season Newcastle United achieved a top-four finish despite ending the previous campaign in 11th. The chance for the Villains to push up the league is there for the taking.
In contrast former Birmingham City man, Darren Ambrose felt that Emery’s side are already well respected, questioning: “I mean is that a dark horse? They finished seventh last season but I think Emery is recruiting really well.”
Villa are gaining respect from all corners of English football; a factor that could scupper them moving forward as expectations grow.
Under Emery, this possibility is diminished as fans are as confident as they have been in 15 years, with many hoping for silverware for the first time since 1996.
Considering the club were playing in England’s second division just five years ago, to be spoken in the same sentence as such prestigious competition is a massive compliment to all the amazing work being done at the club.
