Aston Villa prediction made amid ‘step too far’ claim

Aston Villa have a ‘realistic’ chance of finishing in the Europa League positions this season, but a European trophy will be a ‘step too far’ for Unai Emery’s team.

A seventh place finish in the Premier League last season saw Villa qualify for European football next term and they will enter the play-off round of the Europa Conference League next month.

Emery has a reputation for success in European competitions. And with West Ham winning the tournament last season, Villa fans are dreaming of glory, but former Premier League player and pundit Steve Sidwell is not so sure.

“Unai Emery’s success in Europe has been amazing. Can he replicate that with Aston Villa? It’s a transitional period this season,” he told the Sky Bet Fan Hope Survey . “To win a trophy domestically? They can win a cup – the Premier League’s out the question.

“In Europe that is his bread and butter, he’s done it before. But have Villa got the squad to cope with it? I’m not sure. A trophy this season would be a step too far – maybe the season after when they build a bridge on top of this one and they’ve got a sustainable squad as well.”

Villa’s aim is to be playing Champions League football in the next few years, with the owners backing Emery in the transfer market in order to reach that goal. But Sidwell believes a fourth place finish will be a step too far for Villa next term, although he has praised one signing in particular this summer.

“Finishing in a Europa League place is more realistic for Aston Villa [than Champions League]. They finished 7th last year – they’ll be roughly the same,” he added.

“But great signing, Youri Tielemans – love that signing. Every time I watch him, I’m really impressed. Villa are a football club that will look to improve on last season but building blocks are there to still be had.”