The domination of English top-flight football by the big six has increasingly barred the gates of Europe shut for many of the Premier League’s underdogs. Indeed, in seven out of the last ten seasons, every UCL spot was occupied by a top six outfit. As a result, when any side breaks the norm, it is nothing short of remarkable. However, the added fixture congestion brought by ‘going abroad’ can kill the momentum of the ‘smaller’ sides who achieve it. Leicester City’s remarkable run to the UCL Quarter-Finals in 2016/17 came at the cost of a 12th place league finish, with Newcastle United seeing a similar drop in form, finishing 7th in 2023/24 following Champions League qualification in the previous season. Unai Emery’s Aston Villa are the third club outside of the big six to reach Europe’s ultimate tournament. Can they buck the trend?
Emery’s side have started both their domestic and international campaigns well in 2024/25, sitting top of the UCL’s new league format having seen off considerable opposition in Bayern Munich and Bologna, all the while retaining their 4th place league position – encouraging indeed. However, no club outside of the top six has achieved consecutive top-4 finishes since David O’Leary’s Leeds United in 2001. O’Leary, who also managed Villa, took Leeds to the 2000/01 Champions League semi-final, a 3-0 loss to Valencia. Whether Birmingham’s claret-and-blue can repeat this accomplishment in the modern game, though, is another matter.
Emery will no doubt be hoping that this depth will give his side the edge over its predecessors.
Qualification for Europe adds a minimum of six – now eight under UEFA’s new format – additional games, increasing injury risk for already overstretched players. While the likes of Manchester City have the wealth and depth to cope with this, ‘smaller’ clubs do not. Leicester City’s 2016/17 league season saw them become dependent on unremarkable bench options as the demands of Europe exhausted their talent. Newcastle United, on the other hand, named just three players over the age of 19 among their substitutes for an away tie at PSG – two of which were goalkeepers. That being said, Aston Villa’s depth this season is strong. Backup left-back Ian Maatsen was a UCL finalist with Dortmund last season, while super-sub Jhon Durán has had an extraordinary start to the campaign, with seven goals in all competitions. Emery will no doubt be hoping that this depth will give his side the edge over its predecessors.
Aston Villa’s recruitment this year has also been solid. Forced to sell Douglas Luiz, a standout performer from last season, due to FFP rules, the Villans moved quicky to secure a replacement in Amadou Onana. Along with fellow Belgian Youri Tielemans, who has seen improvement in his performance level for Villa this season, Onana has brought calm to the midfield, fitting Emery’s tactical setup well.
Of course, football is an unpredictable game. Any injury, suspension or drop in form could flip the season upside-down for the Lions. However, if any side is going to match the record of David O’Leary and Leeds, Aston Villa look well placed to do so.