Can Aston Villa start dreaming of Champions League football?

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Aston Villa have made a hugely impressive start to the season, winning seven of their opening 10 Premier League games. Could Unai Emery’s side break into Europe’s elite?

As it stands, the Villains find themselves fifth in the table – one point shy of fourth-placed Liverpool. In fact, Aston Villa sit just four points behind table-topping Tottenham Hotspur.

Having opened up a five-point gap between them and fifth-placed Newcastle United, Emery’s men look set to challenge for a Champions League spot this term.

It is worth remembering that Villa suffered a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of Newcastle on the opening weekend of the campaign.

Since then, however, the Villains have recorded a solitary defeat in nine league outings, dispatching Everton, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Chelsea, Brighton & Hove Albion, West Ham United and Luton Town.

Better still, Aston Villa have scored 26 goals in 10 league encounters (2.6 goals per game), meaning no team has netted more goals than Emery’s men this season.

Not only have Villa scored over 2.5 goals in five of their 10 matches, but they have also scored over 3.5 goals on three occasions. On top of that, Aston Villa put six past Brighton in late September.

Ollie Watkins has been on fire this season, bagging five goals and five assists in the Premier League. However, the England striker is not the only attacking threat.

Douglas Luiz has racked up five goals and one assist, Moussa Diaby has contributed three goals and three assists, while Leon Bailey has chipped in with three goals and two assists.

Elsewhere, Lucas Digne and Matty Cash have occupied the full-back spots admirably. The midfield has been dominated by John McGinn and Boubacar Kamara, with Pau Torres starring at centre-back.

Aston Villa’s home form makes it difficult for any team to leave Villa Park with something to show for their efforts, as Emery’s side have won each of their previous 12 home games in the Premier League.

Thanks to the Europa Conference League, the Villains already have a taste of European football this season. Emery’s men occupy second place in Group E, having taken six points from a possible nine.

Still, there is a sense that Aston Villa can go one better this term. If they carry on the way they’re going, Emery and his players could find themselves in the Champions League before too long.