Jamie Carragher believes that Aston Villa may struggle with fixture congestion due to potential success in the Europa Conference League.
In the Premier League, Aston Villa have had a great start. Just two losses so far see them sit in fifth position.
Excellent wins over Brighton and Hove Albion, West Ham United and Chelsea, have seen a positive buzz around the Villains.
With European football at Villa Park for the first time since 2010, there will be more games for Unai Emery to contend with.
What has Jamie Carragher said about Aston Villa?
With West Ham United winning the Conference League last season and Emery’s credentials, Villa fans are hopeful of Euro success.
In saying that, a fight for Champions League football appears to be on and it may be difficult to keep up form in both.
Former Liverpool man Carragher discussed this on Sky Sports following the Villains’ excellent win over the Hammers.
Discussing the potential issue, he said: “I think they’ll go far in that competition [Europa Conference League] because of the manager’s record in Europe,
“There will be a lot of Thursday-Sunday’s after Christmas. That might be the only problem they have.”
Villa’s European problem
There is already some substance to what Carragher is saying. Emery’s side have had a nervous start to life back in Europe.
With a narrow win over Zrinjski Mostar and a loss away in Warsaw, it has been far from a dream start.
What hasn’t been affected is the Villains’ Premier League form with just two losses so far this season.
The January transfer window may provide a chance to add some more strength in depth as it has been a struggle so far.
Although Carragher makes a fair point, Villa should have more than enough to get past the group and to the latter stages of the competition.
