Aston Villa will be playing Champions League football next season after Tottenham's defeat to Manchester City guaranteed their top four finish.
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Aston Villa guaranteed Champions LeagueTottenham defeat locks in fourth placeFirst time in European Cup for 41 yearsWHAT HAPPENED?
Tottenham's defeat to Manchester City on Tuesday evening not only put the reigning champions on the brink of an unprecedented fourth straight English league title, but it ensured that fifth place Spurs will go into the final day of the season an unbridgeable five points behind Villa. That means Unai Emery's side are guaranteed to finish fourth, and with it comes a place in next season's Champions League group stage. Villa fought back from 3-1 down against Liverpool on Monday to claim a vital point of their own, although the real damage for Tottenham was done by their defeat.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Although Villa have never previously qualified for the Champions League since it was rebranded as such, they actually won the European Cup in 1982, beating Bayern Munich by a single goal in the final. As holders the following season, they reached the quarter-finals and were knocked out by Juventus. But 2024-25 will be their first return to Europe's top table in 41 long years. It is even more remarkable considering they were a Championship club as recently as 2019 and were in the makings of a relegation battle when Steven Gerrard was sacked in October 2022.
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Villa's end of season awards evening was taking place at Villa Park as the Tottenham-Manchester City game was happening. Cue scenes of celebration when Erling Haaland's late penalty condemned Spurs to defeat and sealed Villa's European ticket.
Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ASTON VILLA?
The weekend's fixture against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park has become something of a dead rubber, although Emery will be keen to end the season in a way befitting a Champions League side. Every fan will already be ecstatically looking forward to 2024-25.
