Aston Villa

Top-four side Aston Villa take on bottom-three team West Ham on Sunday (14:15 GMT) but neither's recent form reflects their current league standing.

Villa's goal struggles

After ending 2025 with a run of 11 consecutive wins in all competitions, Aston Villa's fortunes have taken a new-year dive.

Villa have earned just nine points from their past 10 Premier League matches. In midweek they reached the quarter-finals of a major European competition for the third consecutive season, but this weekend they could lose a fourth league game in a row, something boss Umai Emery has never suffered in his entire managerial career.

The Villans were the joint-fifth highest scorers in the Premier League between last August and December with 30 goals, but no side has scored fewer than the 10 they have managed so far in 2026.

While Villa rank fifth-highest for shots and chances created during that time, they have the worst shot conversion rate. Their xG is only 14th best, which is indicative of the fact they're not creating high-quality chances.

Ollie Watkins (one goal in his last nine league games) and Emiliano Buendia (one in his last 15) are out of form while top scorer Morgan Rogers is being smothered by the opposition. The return of captain John McGinn from a two-month injury absence looks like it has come at just the right time.

In the run-up to Christmas when Villa were on their winning run, football experts were suggesting they were genuine title contenders., external But their turndown in domestic form has left them in a real battle to stay in the top four.

Hammers' cause for optimism

While Villa have faltered in the Premier League over the past couple of months, West Ham have found a new lease of life, and last weekend's draw against Manchester City meant they spent a night outside the relegation zone for the first time since the beginning of December.

It was a brief respite of fewer than 24 hours, but 15 points from their last nine league games (W4, D3, L2), is one more than they had earned in their first 21 this season (W3, D5, L13).

And they remain in the drop zone only on goal difference as they are level on points with Nottingham Forest, having been seven points from safety in January.

With the Hammers also still alive in the FA Cup, it means they have lost only two of their last 12 games in all competitions.

In the draw against City, West Ham scored with their only effort on goal, a header from Konstantinos Mavropanos. The Greek centre-back epitomised a fighting spirit that should help the Hammers' cause, making a game-high 10 clearances and four interceptions, as well as blocking an Erling Haaland shot full in the face.

That hard-earned point came in a match in which they were without the in-form Crysencio Summerville, who was nursing a calf injury. The winger, who has had seven goals and an assist across his last 13 games, is hoping to be fit for Sunday, another boost for West Ham, who haven't won any of their six league games without him in 2025-26.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against West Ham at Villa Park (kick-off 14:15 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Youri Tielemans has returned to training and "is feeling good," but Emery doesn't know yet if he will be fit enough to be in contention to face West Ham.

• On Ollie Watkins being left out of Thomas Tuchel's 35-man England squad: "He must be strong. His mentality is a fighter so keep going and try to get it. The [goal] numbers and performances are getting better."

• Emery said Europa League "is a huge motivation" for them this season and they "must be very proud" of how they are progressing in Europe and the Premier League.

• He said he is "very glad" the final two months look the way they do, but they "have got to keep being consistent in the Premier League" to finish as high as possible.

• On the importance of Emi Martinez in his squad: "After some ups and downs, for different circumstances, he is completely focused. He's focused with us and performing very well."

• Emery said Sunday's opponents West Ham "are a great club" with "fantastic players" despite "struggling" this season. He added: "They are getting better under Nuno Espirito Santo. They are getting more points and competing. It's a very, very difficult match. It's an equal match in my expectation."

Listen to live commentary of Aston Villa vs West Ham on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra from 14:15 GMT on Sunday.

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Former Aston Villa and Celtic midfielder Stilian Petrov told BBC Radio 5 Live his thoughts on Aston Villa's Europa League win against Lille on Thursday: "It was incredible. Such an exciting time at the moment for Aston Villa, as a club. What a relationship Unai Emery has with European football, the excitement around Villa, the fans, the players. The satisfaction last night was incredible.

"They can only bounce and take positives from from this European run. They have gone through some difficult spells, missing key players, important players, but seeing John McGinn back again, leading the team, his attitude, his work ethic. I mean, yesterday, he was out for two months, but you know what - he's got stuck in. He performed really well.

"The thing I noticed was his ability to get up the pitch, considering he's been out injured, he covered a lot of ground to be there to get the finish. It's a great determination.

"He's one of these honest players who gives everything to the club. He's not just a good leader, but he's a great team-mate as well. He sets the tempo. He did set the tempo last night.

"You know somebody who's been out for two months, sometimes you lose certain things in the game, fitness, sharpness, but you know what - he's got that willingness to get in the box and just give that advantage to Villa."

Listen to Petrov on 5 Live Breakfast from 2 hours, 18 minutes in

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We asked for your views on Aston Villa's 2-0 win over Lille, and their progression into the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

Here are some of your comments:

Matt: At last, Abraham for Watkins. When Ollie came on he looked fresh, good assist. Villa slowly turning a very difficult corner. The next European game is massive for us. To be honest, I'll take the cup right now and I don't care what happens in the league. UTV.

Martin: Brilliant performance from everyone on the pitch. Sancho started taking on defenders with pace and lifted the tempo with his skills. When Watkins came on, a lot more runs were made and we felt more calm on the ball. The first goal was a moment of class from the man in goal (Martinez) as he played it about four-fifths of the pitch to Sancho, who skilled his man then played it across for super John McGinn. A tactical masterclass from Emery as he knew we should hit them on the counter whilst keeping the ball and slowing the game down. This is yet another building block and now we need to get back to winning form. Come on the Villans!

Rob: To be honest, it was a walk in the park. Even at 0-0 there was no real jeopardy. If only we could transfer these European performances to the Premier League.

Ali: Better performance than of late but I don't understand rating of Jadon Sancho? He gave the ball away five times and let it run out of play, before setting up McGinn's goal. He is such a weakness in the team.

James: The result was all that mattered. Villa have stuttered in the league recently so this result was vitally important. With Emery's past successes in this competition Villa fans can actually start to dream a little. This could prove an easier route into next season's CL with the likes of Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool all threatening to overhaul Villa in the league.

England manager Thomas Tuchel has named his 35-man squad for the two friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in March.

Goalkeepers: Dean Henderson (Crystal Palace), Jordan Pickford (Everton), James Trafford (Manchester City), Aaron Ramsdale (Newcastle United), Jason Steele (Brighton & Hove Albion).

Defenders: Dan Burn (Newcastle United), Marc Guéhi (Manchester City), Lewis Hall (Newcastle United), Ezri Konsa (Aston Villa), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Harry Maguire (Manchester United), Nico O'Reilly (Manchester City), Jarell Quansah (Bayer Leverkusen), Djed Spence (Tottenham Hotspur), John Stones (Manchester City), Fikayo Tomori (AC Milan).

Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), James Garner (Everton), Jordan Henderson (Brentford), Kobbie Mainoo (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa), Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace).

Forwards: Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United), Eberechi Eze (Arsenal), Phil Foden (Manchester City), Anthony Gordon (Newcastle United), Harry Kane (Bayern Munich), Noni Madueke (Arsenal), Cole Palmer (Chelsea), Marcus Rashford (Barcelona, loan from Manchester United), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal), Dominic Solanke (Tottenham Hotspur).

There are 13 players involved who weren't in the last squad back in November, while there's a first senior call-up for Everton midfielder James Garner and Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Europa League quarter-finalists Aston Villa's financial position has left them struggling to compete in the transfer market.

Two years ago, when they reached the Champions League, they had to sell Douglas Luiz to Juventus for £42.5m to balance the books. Last summer academy graduate Jacob Ramsey joined Newcastle for £40m.

Returning to the Champions League will solve many financial headaches for Villa and potentially allow them to spend and strengthen.

The club feel adhering to the Premier League and Uefa financial rules is unfair. They agree there needs to be regulation but believe the regulations do not work alongside each other.

England's top-flight clubs have voted to move to a system called squad cost ratio (SCR) next season.

This allows teams to spend 85% of their income on player costs, although a complicated set of factors means clubs could go as high as 115%.

Uefa's SCR spending limit is 70%, which all clubs in the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League must adhere to.

European football expert Julien Laurens told BBC Radio 5 Live: "They need Champions League football next season. They need that money to balance the books.

"We know the restrictions are there financially. They need that money or they will have to sell players.

"It's crucial for them - whether they do it by winning the Europa League or finishing top five in the Premier League, right now they can't prioritise one over the other.

"They have to go for both at full strength to hope that one of them pays off and they make it. If they don't make it the summer could be difficult for them."

In this week's edition of the Football Interview, Kelly Somers speaks to Brighton midfielder James Milner.

They discuss his journey from joining the Leeds academy to breaking the appearance record in the Premier League at the age of 40.

He talks about the best managers he's played under as well as the highs and lows of his Premier League career which started way back in 2002.

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

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Aston Villa manager Unai Emery speaking after their 2-0 win over Lille in the Europa League: "I am happy with how we performed over two matches, how we tried to play seriously, being organised, respecting the opponent.

"[We played] not so brilliant, but being consistent and defending well. When we had our moments to be ruthless we needed it. We needed those two matches to show this competitive way.

"We are focusing all the season through the Premier League, that is the priority. The Europa League is a competition that is very difficult to win, but we have to enjoy the process, enjoying the way, competing, using different players and trying to compete, it can help us find a structure in our squad."

Belgium midfielder Youri Tielemans, 28, is ready to reject any offers to leave Aston Villa having been on the radar of several clubs in Saudi Arabia. (Football Insider), external

Borussia Dortmund are interested in re-signing English forward Jadon Sancho. The 25-year-old, on loan at Aston Villa, will be out of contract at parent club Manchester United in June. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

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Aston Villa's John McGinn, speaking to TNT Sports: "Delighted. It was a slow first half, personally as well trying to get back up to speed. It wasn't a pretty performance, but the main thing is we are in the quarter-final."

On Emi Martinez's pass for his goal and Jadon Sancho's performance: "It was brilliant from Emi, but it highlights Jadon's performance, his best in a Villa shirt. He was man of the match tonight by a mile. The manager was giving me grief before the game to make sure I got in the box, and he gave it to me.

"They defended very well in the first half, but we did go a bit more direct in the second half. The manager tweaked it, and it paid dividends."

On his return from injury: "It is difficult when the team is not doing well, and you're in the physio room. I got over it pretty quickly, I knew it could have been more serious and I just wanted to do my rehab properly. I've made mistakes before, trying to cut corners with rehab, but I didn't do that this time."

On goal targets this season: "I never used to set goal targets, but the manager sets targets on the forward players. I want to try to target 10 goals every season. I've not managed to do that yet, but hopefully this season is the year. It is up on us forward players and wide players to take the pressure off Ollie [Watkins]."

On Emiliano Martinez: "He's a mad man. I know he's a family man, but he is a big kid inside, a lively character and a top goalkeeper, but even at 2-0 he made a great save.

"It was great to get a clean sheet, a good performance and send the Villa fans home happy. Hopefully it is the same on Sunday."

Aston Villa winger Jadon Sancho, speaking to TNT Sports: "It is a lovely feeling [to go through]. Tonight has been incredible with the fans. We struck to the game plan, that's what we needed and, hopefully, we keep that momentum into the Premier League."

On John McGinn being back from injury: "We've missed him a lot. He's a great guy to be around, brings a lot of energy into the changing room. So happy to have him back and happy to assist him today."

On their chances of winning the Europa League: "We have got to take it game by game, it is a tough competition, Europe is very different. We stuck to the game plan, we worked hard on and off the ball. If we keep [doing] this I'm sure we can go very far in this competition."

Did you know?

• Aston Villa have reached the quarter-finals in major European competition in three consecutive seasons, as many times as they'd reached at least this round in their previous 11 such campaigns combined.

• Unai Emery has reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League for the eighth time, no other manager has done so more than five times. Aston Villa will be the fifth club the Spaniard will take into this round of the competition, after Valencia (twice), Sevilla (three times), Arsenal and Villarreal.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Keeper Emiliano Martinez was serenaded by the Aston Villa fans after his vital contribution.

He turned into Aston Villa's quarterback when he launched a pinpoint pass for Jadon Sancho to run on to and tee up John McGinn.

The Argentina international ran half the length of the field to celebrate with his team-mates before raising his fists towards the North Stand on returning to his goal.

The second-half opener settled Villa's nerves, which were evident around Villa Park during a tepid first half. Villa could have drifted into trouble, but they remained largely in control.

Lille looked to contain them in the first half and then open up to try to level the tie after the break, but it only served to help Villa with gaps appearing for McGinn, and then Leon Bailey late on, to score.

Even when they were left chasing the game at 2-0 down on aggregate, the French side did not have the necessary class to worry Villa.

The second goal added gloss to a performance which again lacked quality and energy. Villa did what they needed to do to get the job done, but still need to improve - both in the Premier League and Europe.

Yet they can still produce one-off moments, like Martinez did, to lift them and ensure their Europa League dream remains alive.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you make of Aston Villa's display?

Come back on Friday for a selection of your replies

Tammy Abraham starts ahead of Ollie Watkins as Aston Villa look to reach the Europa League quarter-finals.

Victor Lindelof also makes his first start for over a month in defence with boss Unai Emery making six changes from Sunday's defeat at Manchester United.

Jadon Sancho, Ian Maatsen, Pau Torres and Douglas Luiz return.

Aston Villa XI: Martinez, Bogarde, Lindelof, Torres, Maatsen, Luiz, Onana, McGinn, Rogers, Sancho, Abraham.

Subs: Bizot, Wright, Mings, Konsa, Digne Cash, Garcia, Elliott, Buendia, Bailey, Watkins.

Former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud starts for Lille as they look to overcome their first-leg deficit.

Ex-Tottenham and Newcastle midfielder Nabil Bentaleb is also in for the French side, who are fifth in Ligue 1.

Lille XI: Ozer, Ngoy, Alexsandro, Mbemba, Perraud, Bouaddi, Bentalab, Mukau, Meunier, Giroud, Correia.

Subs: Bodart, Lanssade, Fernandez-Pardo, Haraldsson, Edjouma, Tiago Santos, Mandi, Verdonk, Diaoune, Baret, Boussadia.

There are seven games in the Europa League on Thursday as the last 16 concludes, and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Freiburg v Genk (17:45)

• Midtjylland v Nottingham Forest (17:45)

• Lyon v Celta Vigo (17:45)

• Aston Villa v Lille - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Porto v Stuttgart

• Real Betis v Panathinaikos

• Roma v Bologna

Kick-off times 20:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to today's 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Aston Villa v Lille".

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

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We are getting to the stage of the season where every Premier League team is managing injuries in their squad as the sheer volume and intensity of games begins to take its toll.

But who has been most affected by injuries across the campaign so far?

Ben Dinnery, from Premier Injuries Limited, has provided the data below, showing the number of domestic injuries each top-flight team has suffered, defined by a player missing at least one Premier League game.

The data has been taken from the opening weekend up to and including 18 March.

Despite this table listing domestic injuries, it is unsurprising that the top three of Arsenal, Chelsea and Aston Villa have all competed in European competition, with the Gunners still fighting on four fronts and the Blues also coming off the back of a much-shortened pre-season following their Club World Cup victory.

Perhaps more surprisingly, however, is the fact Arsenal's 31 domestic injuries so far comfortably leads the way, illustrating the strength and depth available to Mikel Arteta to still have his side nine points clear at the top of the table.

The graphic below shows Tottenham lead the way for days missed by injured players, illustrating the issues faced by Thomas Frank, who had to cope with long-term absentees including Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison.

Both West Ham and Brentford are in the bottom three for domestic injuries and days missed through those injuries, while Arsenal and Villa are in the top three for both.

Chelsea drop down the table when looking at days missed, showing they have predominately suffered from short absences spread throughout the squad.

It is worth pointing out that Newcastle's two longest absences this season - Emil Krafth (120 days) and Yoane Wissa (88 days), who had not yet even trained with his new side, resulted from injuries picked up on international duty and are not factored into the figures.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Unai Emery was distracted by the translator at his pre-match news conference on Thursday.

The Aston Villa manager answered the first question before stopping and asking if the door could be closed.

The translator, for French journalists, was speaking too loudly from the other room at Bodymoor Heath's media centre and Emery could not focus during his 10 minutes with the press.

With the news conference restarting, and the promise from the translator to talk more quietly, Emery continued and finished.

It was another unwanted interruption before a game which could define Villa's rapidly stuttering season.

Victory over Lille in Birmingham - with Villa already holding a 1-0 first-leg lead - would push them into the Europa League quarter finals against either Bologna or Roma.

It would be the tonic for the faltering Premier League season, with Villa fortunate to remain in the top four after two wins from 10.

Only the inconsistencies of Chelsea and Liverpool have kept Villa's Champions League hopes - via the league - intact. They should recognise how lucky they are.

Victory in the Europa League is, of course, another route to the European elite, which is why Thursday can hold the key to rescuing the season.

Skipper John McGinn's return after a knee injury will only help and Youri Tielemans is expected to be fit after the international break following an ankle problem.

His return to fitness cannot come soon enough. Villa need reinforcements as they look to navigate another tricky European tie.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa's underperforming stars know the "magnitude" of their Europa League showdown with Lille, according to captain John McGinn.

Unai Emery's side hold a 1-0 first-leg lead in their last-16 tie before the return game at Villa Park on Thursday.

Their season could hinge on European success - and ending a 30-year trophy drought - after their Premier League form plummeted this year.

They are clinging on to fourth in the table following two wins in 10 league games.

"We know it's an important game, probably slightly more important because of the recent results, so the dressing room knows the magnitude of the game," said McGinn.

"We had a much larger gap [over Champions League rivals], now Manchester United have picked up, Chelsea, Liverpool are indifferent like ourselves.

"There are teams in better form but what we've shown is we have the capability to put some momentum together.

"This is no different. One thing that needs to improve is our home form.

"When you're talking about confidence, we went through a similar spell already this season in August and September, and it doesn't just flick on overnight, it's gradual.

"We won against Bologna, against Fulham, with performances that weren't pretty but it got confidence back up and that's exactly what we need to do again."

Scotland international McGinn has returned after missing 10 games with a knee injury, coming on as a second-half substitute in Lille last week.

He is the first of Villa's sidelined midfield trio to come back with Youri Tielemans still out with an ankle problem and Boubacar Kamara out until next season with a knee injury.

"When you're out injured and the results don't go so well you automatically become this superior player and you're the reason why things aren't going well," he said.

"There's many reasons why things haven't been going well but when you lose three of your midfield most teams in the country would struggle.

"I certainly feel the expectation and the pressure to remind the players of what it takes to play for Aston Villa.

"It's a demanding club to play for. When you set standards, you're expected to meet them again. When you fall short of that, you'll get criticism."

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Thursday's Europa League last 16 second leg against Lille at Villa Park (20:00 GMT).

Villa lead 1-0 from the first leg.

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Emery stressed that Villa cannot underestimate Lille, despite their lead: "There is still the second leg to play against a team so so experienced in Europe. How they are performing is very fantastic. Of course we respect them a lot. Massive respect. We played a really fantastic match there but tomorrow is the second part and we must be ready to play."

• How big a role can the Villa Park crowd play? "Our supporters are part of us. We can feel them when they are there each match. It is very important how we can feel them close to us. Villa Park is our fortress and we are consistent there. The last few games, not been getting the results like before, can feel like something is lacking in Villa Park. Tomorrow is the opportunity. The supporters must help us to win."

• On having captain John McGinn back available: "It's very important. It means a lot when John McGinn is at Villa Park. The most important is how we can get our performance collectively but some individual players as well like John McGinn can add something special. He is the captain, for the supporters he is a player who gets a lot of emotions. Tomorrow, hopefully he will be an important part for us."

• Reflecting on Villa's journey under him, Emery said: "Playing a second leg in the last 16 of the Europa League when we arrived here three and a half years ago was a dream. It was something in that moment that was so difficult to think [we could do]. We have achieved it so quick and how we are being consistent in the Premier League, even with losing games we are fourth, was a huge dream three years ago."

• More on high standards despite a difficult run domestically: "Being as demanding as we are, you can become frustrated and the supporters frustrated. But I prefer it. Sometimes we feel are not performing well and get criticism because we are setting our standards and objectives so so high but I want to be here and fight for the position we are in now."

Follow all of Wednesday's European and Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

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Mike Taylor
BBC Radio WM reporter

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In a deliciously awkward post-match moment at Old Trafford, Unai Emery deployed a classic device to defuse a tricky question: another question.

Was he concerned about Villa's recent form? "Yes, but how we are in the league?" Fourth. "Yes. But the league is 38 matches. You were asking me two months ago whether we were favourite to win the title."

Emery sometimes seems to use the words "favourite" and "contender" almost interchangeably, but his point stood.

He is far too serious about his job to waste time thinking of clever rhetoric, but it is nevertheless a fair argument. He has also been entirely consistent, never drawn into overegging the excitement during Villa's strong run-up to Christmas.

"I told you, in that moment, we were fantastic," he went on. "Why? Because we are fighting against opponents, they are favourite to be in the top five, even top seven. Of course, to be there for the third year is really fantastic. But to keep it is the most difficult challenge we have, because they have the capacity like they are showing."

The sense of deflation apparent among Villa fans lately obscures that there are plenty of good chances left for them to claim a high finish. As noted on this page, the next six of their eight remaining league games are all against either strugglers or teams in mid-table comfort. Villa have failed in several similar games recently, but the fixtures ahead are no less favourable for that.

The longer view is that only one metric defines whether this campaign is a success or not: qualification for next season's Champions League. The key to breaking through the financial ceiling that Villa fans feel artificially limits their progress is a consistent presence in the biggest European competition.

Villa have always had two paths to that target, and so long as they remain in the Europa League there has been a back-up plan if their domestic form faltered. Villa were justifiable ante-post favourites to win a tournament in which Emery himself has an unimpeachable record.

While they were in the top three and well clear of the chasers, Europe could be thought of as an exciting bonus, and the importance of actually winning something must never be overlooked. But in the context of their stumble at home, that tournament remains Villa's insurance policy, and the shortest path to this season's ultimate target.

The structure of the tournament has meant it has not always felt like their European games have been played for the highest stakes. It will on Thursday.

Listen to full commentary of Aston Villa v Lille at 20:00 GMT on Thursday on BBC Radio WM (95.6FM/DAB/Freeview 714)

And tune into The West Midlands Football Phone-In from 18:00 on weeknights

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Hannah Gowen
Fan writer

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There's no way to disguise it - Aston Villa's past two months have been incredibly disappointing, derailing Unai Emery's Champions League qualification plan.

What had previously looked a smooth path through to the end of the season now feels precarious - laced with high-stakes games and jeopardy.

Countless points dropped and uncharacteristically poor home form have killed Villa's momentum, which had built to a heady height by the end of 2025. Confidence looks low and players are out of form, with the manager opting to play underperformers rather than rotate patient onlookers from the bench.

Another lacklustre showing at Old Trafford - to add to the mountain of others on the red side of Manchester - felt like another chink in Villa's armour after an important away win in the Europa League just three days prior. Points have been few and far between, and the team is looking both toothless in attack and fragile in defence.

As hard as Villa have tried to sabotage their own hopes of Champions League qualification, they are lucky that their rivals have managed to be equally inconsistent.

With eight league games remaining, Emery's objectives still remain very much achievable. Add in the potential of Europa League glory, and everything is still to play for.

However, the club's position feels as if it is hanging in the balance - more so than at any other point this season.

Villa's next six games will see them face clubs currently in the bottom half of the league. While recent form has proven that there are no easy games, this fixture list sets Emery and the team up for a favourable run.

Now, as it has been all season, a spot in the top five is Villa's to lose. Whether they step up for the final innings or continue to capitulate under pressure, the outcome will reflect what this squad deserves.

Find more from Hannah Gowen at UTV, external

Aston Villa's English winger Morgan Rogers, 23, may be tempted to look for Champions League football elsewhere if Unai Emery's side fail to qualify for next season's competition. (Talksport), external

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