Unai Emery’s Aston Villa are in a prime position to secure Champions League football by outpacing Liverpool and Chelsea in the final stretch of the 2025/2026 season.
Aston Villa are firmly in control of their destiny in the race for a top-four Premier League finish, with manager Unai Emery guiding the club toward a potential return to the Champions League. With seven matches remaining after the March international break, Villa need just 10 points from a possible 21—three wins and one draw—to surpass Chelsea’s projected total of 63 points. Even if Liverpool wins five of their final seven games, reaching 64 points, Villa can match or exceed that with consistent results.
Currently, both Liverpool and Chelsea sit on 49 points, separated by just one point. Villa’s path includes a manageable run of fixtures: Nottingham Forest (A), Sunderland (H), Fulham (A), Tottenham (H), and Burnley (A). Capitalizing on these games could position them strongly ahead of the season-defining clashes against Liverpool at home on May 2 and Manchester City away on the final day.
"Taking at least 10 points from this five-game stretch would put them in a commanding position," reports Birmingham Live.
One of Villa’s biggest advantages is their relatively favorable schedule compared to Liverpool and Chelsea. While Villa face mid-table or relegation-threatened sides early in the run-in, Chelsea must contend with Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Tottenham—a grueling sequence that could derail their campaign. Liverpool’s own run includes a Merseyside derby at Everton, a trip to Old Trafford, and a home match against Chelsea.
These high-stakes clashes increase the likelihood of dropped points among Villa’s rivals, giving Emery’s side room to capitalize. If Villa maintain focus and secure wins against weaker opposition, they could enter the final weeks in a position to dictate their fate without relying on other results.
The 2025/2026 season represents a pivotal moment in Unai Emery’s rebuilding project at Villa Park. His emphasis on tactical discipline, squad depth, and mental resilience has transformed Villa into genuine contenders. Key players like Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martínez have delivered consistently, while emerging talents have stepped up when needed.
Qualification for the Champions League would not only reward the club’s progress but also enhance their appeal in the transfer market and solidify their status among England’s elite. With the final two months of the season approaching, Aston Villa hold their destiny in their hands—and the dream of European football at the highest level is closer than ever.
