“Just when we thought we were out, they pull us back in!” To loosely paraphrase Michael Corleone. Aston Villa’s double-digit points safety net for the Champions League places is a thing of the past, and the top-five race based on the contending teams’ current form is likely to stumble on until the end. Have Villa turned a corner though? Here are the latest five reasons to be cheerful as Villans.
Spag Bol
With Lille comfortably dispatched, Villa enter the quarter-finals to face a Bologna side they have had the better of on two occasions in the past 18 months. While both of those victories came at Villa Park, the first leg of this latest clash will be in Italy, offering away fans a fresh destination this spring.
The Villa players will take confidence from the fact that Bologna currently sit ninth in Serie A, having lost 12 of their 30 matches. Their recent win against Roma not only denied the narrative of Donyell Malen returning to haunt Villa, but also serves as a warning that they will not simply roll over for Emery’s side.
This is undoubtedly a winnable tie, but any hint of complacency will be punished, as Villa know all too well from the Conference League semi-final two seasons ago.
He’s Back
A deafening sigh of relief could be observed in Birmingham on Sunday as Youri Tielemans warmed up on the touchline. The return of John McGinn has had an instant impact, and if Tielemans can have a similar influence, there is hope that the season can still have a fairy tale ending.
Given the fall in results since his injury, Youri would be forgiven for asking for a hefty pay rise this summer. It’s great to have him back.
Bubbles Blown
It is often harder facing relegation strugglers in the final weeks of the season, as they are fighting for their lives, Spurs aside. But West Ham offered little for their supporters, producing a lacklustre display at Villa Park, a ground where Villa have suffered defeat all too often in 2026.
The result was crucial, but the markedly improved performance was just as important, with Emery’s men having drifted dangerously back towards the type of displays seen in August. A similar result at Nottingham Forest will go a long way in this slow-motion race for Champions League football.
Spicy Meatball
Two goals in two enormous matches since returning from surgery have arguably saved Villa’s season from slipping into catastrophe and reignited hope among supporters. His energy, passion and quality have been sorely missed, but it is his leadership and desire to win that have stood out most since captain John McGinn’s long-awaited return.
After the journey he has shared with the club, it would be fitting to see him lift a trophy. Fingers crossed this is his year.
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Race to Last
Much like two seasons ago, when Villa stumbled over the finish line to secure their first appearance in the modern Champions League era, with Spurs and Manchester United limping in behind them, this campaign is shaping up in similar fashion.
Chelsea are imploding, Liverpool continue to stutter, and Manchester United are still in the mix, with all three set to play one another in the final seven fixtures.
Villa’s focus must be on taking maximum points before the tricky final two matches against Liverpool and Manchester City, because it is certain those around them will drop points.
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