Chris Sutton suggests that Aston Villa’s chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League might face a delay, as the race for the top four continues to intensify. Despite their recent Europa Conference League loss, Villa received some positive news when Tottenham Hotspur, their direct competitor for a top-four spot, suffered a 2-0 defeat against Chelsea. This result places Villa in a favorable position, sitting on 67 points with three matches remaining, while Tottenham, who have an extra game to play, are at 60 points with one of their upcoming matches against Manchester City.
Chris Sutton Expects Tough Road Ahead for Aston Villa in Top Four Race
To secure a Champions League spot, Villa would need to win their next match against Brighton, and they would also need Tottenham to lose to Liverpool on Sunday. However, Sutton is skeptical about this scenario. He anticipates that Aston Villa will overcome Brighton with a 3-1 victory, but he foresees Tottenham pulling off a surprising 3-2 win against Liverpool at Anfield.
Sutton elaborates on his predictions by pointing out that Brighton has struggled with energy and consistency this season, likely due to the uncertainty surrounding their manager, Roberto de Zerbi’s, future. He asserts that this could give Aston Villa the upper hand when they face the Seagulls.
However, Tottenham’s matchup against Liverpool could pose a significant challenge for Villa. While Liverpool has a strong home record, Sutton believes Tottenham’s counterattacking prowess could catch Jurgen Klopp’s team off guard, leading to a narrow victory for the London club.
If Sutton’s predictions hold true, Aston Villa would still sit in fourth place with 70 points, but Tottenham would close the gap to 63 points. This outcome would mean Tottenham could still match Villa’s points tally for the season, but they would need to drastically improve their goal difference to overtake Villa. Villa’s remaining fixtures against Liverpool at home and Crystal Palace away will be crucial in determining whether they can hold onto their Champions League aspirations.
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