Aston Villa currently sit five points clear of Tottenham Hotspur in the race for a top-four berth.
Back-to-back wins coupled with Ange Postecoglou’s side having a week off has put the Villans in an excellent position heading into the business end of the season.
Next is a trip to Luton Town on Saturday evening, another excellent opportunity for three points.
There is plenty of uncertainty surrounding what European qualification will look like at the end of the season.
Nevertheless, former Arsenal defender Mikaël Silvestre has backed Villa to finish in the top four.
Mikaël Silvestre makes Aston Villa top four prediction
Talking on talkSPORT Drive, Silvestre believes Villa will join Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool and secure Champions League qualification.
“City, Arsenal, Liverpool and Aston Villa,” he said.
“I think they’re going to finish up there in fourth. I don’t like Spurs. I am giving a chance to the outsiders. Villa have been impressive except when they played Manchester United.
“Otherwise, I think Unai Emery is doing a great job.”
Saturday’s clash against Luton Town is shaping up to be a must-win clash. The Hatters have performed admirably this season but are still struggling near the foot of the table.
Villa’s quality should prove too much for their hosts, especially in attacking areas.
Furthermore, if Unai Emery’s side want to secure Champions League football, these are exactly the type of games they need to be winning.
As for Silvestre’s comments, Villa are by no means the “outsiders”. They have earned the right to be considered among the league’s best and should be regarded as one of the favourites to finish in the top four.
In fact, for an extended period of the campaign, Emery’s side were considered title contenders, notably after they beat Manchester City and Arsenal in back-to-back home fixtures.
Of course, there is a realisation that the strength of the Premier League’s elite would be too much to handle. Arsenal, Liverpool and City are in relentless form; picking a title winner is a relatively tough call.
