Unai Emery’s team surprised everyone last season by finishing fourth in the Premier League, earning a spot in Europe’s premier club competition for the first time since the 1982/83 season. Despite their consistency and solid performance, statistics suggest that a repeat performance may be challenging.
Historically, non-big six teams in the Premier League have struggled in the season following their qualification for Europe. The pressure and fixture congestion often prove to be too much, leading to a drop in performance. Teams like Newcastle, West Ham, Swansea, Hull, Leicester, and Southampton have all experienced this trend in the past.
Villa’s main competitors for the last Champions League spot this season include Newcastle, Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham. These teams are not in the Champions League next year, giving them an advantage in terms of rest and squad depth compared to Villa.
With tougher competition and limited resources, Aston Villa faces an uphill battle in their quest to secure Champions League football again this season. Fans will have to wait and see if they can defy the odds once more.