Aston Villa has booked a place in next season’s Champions League, following Manchester City’s 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in a Premier League game on Tuesday.
The defeat for Spurs ensured that Villa will finish among the top four clubs at the end of the current 2023/24 campaign.
Villa manager Unai Emery has expressed his delight with the success achieved and looks forward to competing in the top European tournament.
Emery said: “It’s a very special day today. It’s our dream, it was our dream when we started the season to be here.
“To play Champions League is, after the Premier League, the best.
“You can play in the Premier League against the best teams in the world, it’s very difficult.“When you are playing in the Champions League you are playing against the best teams, at the same time, from other countries. And it’s amazing.
“And we are always responsible about the history here, we know the history of Aston Villa is so long and so successful.
“Even in the Champions League, before it was the European Cup, we knew the responsibility was to try to increase our level, try to be demanding and to dream.
“And now to win the Champions League like Aston Villa did in 1982, if we are there and we are in, then it’s more easy than if we are not.
“It’s another dream and the most important is to have dreams and try to work hard for it.
“Of course, I’m very, very, very happy and very proud of you (the supporters), the players and everybody.“I want to enjoy more and, next year, now the new challenge starts for us. To build again a team, being strong and being strong to go and always increase our level.
“This is our objective and always it’s trying to enjoy with you, the supporters; you are the heart of the club.
“Up the Villa!”
How did Tottenham lose to Liverpool
The first half was cagey as both sides struggled to break the deadlock without any success. However, in the second half, City opened the scoring with a sublime finish from from Erling Haaland after receiving an assist from Kelvin De Bruyne. The Norwaygian forward then completed his brace at the death from the penalty spot.
Tottenham coach Ange Postecoglou has stated that the game will propel his side to re-strategies ahead of an encounter against Sheffield United on May 19.
Postecoglou told Sky Sports: “I already knew what I wanted to do, I just have to make some adjustments to how I do it.”It just means the last 48 hours has revealed a fair bit to me. That’s alright, it just means I’ve got to go back to the drawing board with some things.
“Villa played out a 3-3 draw against third-placed Liverpool at Villa Park which extended the side’s winless run to five games.
The club has 68 points from 37 games and is left with one game against Crystal Palace.
