Aston Villa

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The fact that Aston Villa were in the Champions League this season and won plenty of games in it shows that they are competitive at the highest level.

With the players they have and the manager that they have, it is a fair expectation to believe that they could - and feel that they should - be in the Champions League next campaign.

If they do not make it, I feel they will think that they have let themselves down. Given all the teams that could finish ahead of them, I do not think for a second they should believe those clubs are miles ahead of where Villa are. They are not.

Maybe you could say they have gone on a relative slide recently, because at one point they were the form side, not just in the Premier League, but around Europe too.

However, it is tough to say it would be a big step backwards if they do not qualify because that feels harsh. They know they are good enough to be in the Champions League again next season and they will still fight to the very end.

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You look at the three remaining fixtures - Bournemouth, Tottenham and Manchester United - are United players still playing in the league? Are Spurs? How good are Bournemouth?

It would be a huge disappointment if they do not make the Champions League spots this season. But it also feels like they made somewhat of a transition in terms of the players that have come in and gone out. However, the belief, the standard and the level was raised.

Losing the FA Cup semi-final in the way that they did and if they finish the season badly, it will be a lesson - one that many teams have to face - in needing to play well, not just for the season, but during the most important parts too. Including the end.

If you do not play well at that stage, it can lead to significant disappointment.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

David Michael
Fan writer

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For Aston Villa, the maths is simple - win their final three games or forget about playing Champions League football next season.

In truth, there is little need for fans to eagerly check the results of those around them. Villa's poor goal difference means they'll almost certainly need maximum points to avoid finishing on the outside looking in.

Perhaps the toughest of the three fixtures might not be the obvious name to jump out. Bournemouth away poses a far trickier test than many assume, with the Cherries racking up some impressive results this season and Villa failing to beat them at Villa Park too.

After that, Villa close out the campaign against Tottenham and Manchester United, both of whom may be impacted by a Europa League final that will take place between the two fixtures.

But Villa should never have been in this position to begin with.

As I have previously written, defensive inconsistency has dogged them for most of the season, while at the other end of the pitch, top scorer Ollie Watkins - despite having a solid campaign overall - leads the Premier League for big chances missed (26 and counting). Both have played their part in blunting Villa's momentum, particularly at home.

Consider this: Villa are currently unbeaten in 17 Premier League home games (W10 D7), matching their best run in the Premier League era. But unlike their stunning 16 wins and one draw between March and December 2023, this version has been littered with costly dropped points.

Frustratingly, even turning just a couple of those draws into victories would have left them in the driver's seat for the top five.

Instead, the margins are tight, and the run-in is tense.

Still, if Unai Emery's side can hold their nerve - and rediscover the ruthlessness that once defined them - there is still a route to Europe's top table. They just have to take it the hard way.

Find more from David Michael at My Old Man Said, external

Aston Villa are monitoring Real Madrid and Ukraine goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, 26, as Emiliano Martinez continues to be linked with a summer exit. (Birmingham Mail), external

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We asked for your views on Aston Villa's Premier League match against Fulham.

Here are some of your comments:

Villa fans

Cassie: Some of the Villa players looked tired after a long season. It was a game they needed to win,but didn't take advantage when Fulham only had 10 players on the pitch. Boubacar Kamara is an unsung hero and again he played a blinder.

Ian: A very controlled solid performance with a good early goal but missed chances made for a nervy ending to the game. I suppose with so much at stake, it is only to be expected.

Tony: A disjointed performance against a pedestrian opponent with little to really shout about apart from the points. Youri Tielemans worked tirelessly and was the pick of the bunch and Donyell Malen impressed when he came on. Ollie Watkins had another day to forget sadly. Only the points make any impression after the event.

David: Lucky to get three points. Too slow, and giving the ball away too easily. As for the substitutions, taking off Ian Maatsen and John McGinn when both were playing well, and leaving Pau Torres on when he was having a stinker... hard to work out what Unai Emery was thinking!

Fulham fans

David: As with last week against Southampton, we didn't get going until the second half. Much better then but ultimately not enough firepower up front. Has been said previously here but we still miss Aleksandar Mitrovic. Probably a season too soon for Europe so maybe it's no bad thing not to qualify.

Rob: Lacking passion, drive and imagination. A golden opportunity missed to pick up points against a Villa side low on confidence after their FA Cup defeat. Bournemouth showed how to do it against Arsenal, taking the game to them in the second half and having a right go at them. Why oh why couldn't Fulham have done the same against Villa?

Bill: Things seem to be falling apart right now. As a unit, the team look knackered and without inspiration. Silva's tactics and substitutions are often ludicrous, as twice now we've gone down to 10 men because of his decisions to use all his subs. You must hold one back in case of injuries surely?! We've fallen to 11th in 24 hours - not just disappointing but very worrying,

Robert: I thought Fulham had to beat the ref if they were to get anything out of the game.

Aston Villa and Arsenal are eyeing 25-year-old Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic, with the Serie A club expected to ask for around £42m for the Serbian. (Fichajes - in Spanish), external

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Highlights and analysis from Saturday's Four Premier League fixtures, plus the best of the action from Friday's game between Manchester City and Wolves.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Everton 2-2 Ipswich

• Arsenal 1-2 Bournemouth

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Unai Emery spoke to BBC Sport after Aston Villa's victory against Fulham: "A very important [win], as our aim is to play in Europe.

"Europe is very important for the club and for our progress to try get another UEFA trophy. Champions League is the most difficult achievement we can have.

"Champions League is our dream - we are so motivated to be there again.

"We have to try prepare for each match - be focused and be very demanding."

On Youri Tielemans: "He is a really competitive guy. His commitment with every day work is fantastic.

"Today, we can feel he's completely playing and performing like we want.

"His commitment is the most important thing for us."

Matthew Howarth
BBC Sport journalist

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They may be out of the FA Cup and the Champions League, but a run of seven wins in nine Premier League games has left Aston Villa right in the mix for an immediate return to Europe's top table next season.

Midfielder Youri Tielemans was Villa's driving force against Fulham, pulling the strings in midfield after giving them an early lead with a powerful header from John McGinn's corner.

The Belgium international nearly fashioned a second before half-time with a perfectly weighted pass into Ollie Watkins, but Leno was off his line quickly to prevent the forward from doubling Villa's advantage.

Leno then did well to get the faintest of touches to a ferocious Tielemans drive on the stroke of half-time – but referee Robert Jones failed to spot the German's intervention and awarded a Fulham goal-kick.

Watkins will be frustrated not to have got the goal which would have made him Villa's outright Premier League leading scorer, failing to make proper contact with Matty Cash's low cross early in the second half before being denied by Leno in another one-v-one.

But the three points were what mattered for Unai Emery's team, who are now level on points with Nottingham Forest in sixth and Chelsea in fifth - the Premier League's final Champions League spot.

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Aston Villa are unbeaten in their last 17 home games in the Premier League (W10 D7), their joint-longest run in the competition along with between March and December 2023 (W16 D1).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Villa's performance

What did you make of Fulham's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies.

Five matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Aston Villa v Fulham (12:30)

• Everton v Ipswich Town - BBC Radio 5 Live

• Leicester City v Southampton

• Arsenal v Bournemouth (17:30) - BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 15:00 BST unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

It would be easy to say the wheels have come off at Aston Villa, wouldn't it?

In the past couple of weeks, they have gone out of the Champions League and FA Cup, and losing their last Premier League game has left them playing catch-up in the top-five race.

I don't think Unai Emery's side will crumble from here, though, even if Marcus Rashford's season-ending injury is a big blow.

Villa need to win this, and they also need a big performance from Ollie Watkins. If he starts banging the goals in again then that would be a huge boost for their run-in.

Fulham are a nightmare to predict, as I've mentioned in previous weeks, and they are certainly capable of getting something here.

I don't think Villa can keep a clean sheet - which probably means they will stop Fulham scoring - but I have a feeling things will click for them in front of goal.

Also, they are at home too so, if they need them, their fans can help to get them over the line.

Sutton's prediction: 3-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Alex Fletcher
BBC Sport journalist

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Fulham at Villa Park (kick-off 12:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Emery said he is "hopeful" on-loan Marcus Rashford could return before the end of the season.

• On his relationship with Ollie Watkins: "He is a fantastic guy and his commitment is [always] with Aston Villa, myself and his team-mates. I am so grateful to work with him."

• Emery believes "every match" is a must win and has called on his team to be "consistent" in the final four games of the season.

• On home advantage: "Villa Park is very important. Tomorrow we will need the supporters to be with us. This year, through the different competitions, they have been there."

• On Fulham: We have to respect them and adapt to them. When I arrived here two years ago they were competing to be in Europe and they are a team that can get to the same heights as Nottingham Forest. They are a contender to be in the top six."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news