Gareth Barry Backs Aston Villa for Historic Double as Pressure Mounts
Former Aston Villa and England midfielder Gareth Barry has made a bold prediction, supporting the club to achieve a historic double this season. He believes Villa can secure Champions League qualification through the Premier League and win the Europa League, marking their first major trophy in 30 years.
Villa's Position and Fixture Challenges
After the international break, Aston Villa finds themselves in a strong position, sitting fourth in the Premier League table and advancing to the quarter-finals of the Europa League. With seven league matches remaining, their schedule includes challenging away trips to Nottingham Forest, Fulham, Burnley, and Manchester City, as well as home games against Sunderland, Tottenham Hotspur, and Liverpool.
Barry, who was part of the Martin O’Neill team that narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification and a trophy nearly two decades ago, expressed confidence in Villa's prospects. When asked about their likely finish, he stated, "Fourth." He elaborated, "I had a look at the fixtures and if they can get between 10 and 12 points, that will definitely guarantee them fifth and possibly get them fourth. The Liverpool game at home could be a pivotal point in terms of finishing above them. But there's no easy game, the fixtures are there for Villa to qualify. And the cup and the players coming back, they're in a strong position."
Season Rollercoaster and Momentum Key
The season has been a rollercoaster for Villa, starting with a stuttering performance, followed by an unprecedented winning streak, and then a concerning drop in form. However, last weekend's 2-0 victory over West Ham, combined with dropped points by rival clubs, has placed them fourth with a five-point cushion over Liverpool in fifth and six points ahead of Chelsea in sixth.
Barry emphasized the importance of rediscovering positive momentum in the final stretch. He said, "If you can get that momentum and confidence into your team in the final games then it goes a long way. There's players in the dressing room that have got over the line in the Champions League. They've done it a couple years ago, so they've got experience of doing it. They’ve got a good spine and an experienced manager so they’ve got a strong chance."
Confidence in Europa League Success
Barry is not only optimistic about Champions League qualification but also convinced that Villa can lift the Europa League trophy. This would end a trophy drought dating back to the Coca Cola Cup win in 1996, exactly 30 years ago. He explained, "Talking about the league and the cup are two completely different things. It's on the day, isn't it really? But they’ve got a strong squad and they’re favourites for a reason. They've got the best squad of the teams left in the competition, they’ve got the manager that's won this trophy before, so I think they're worthy favourites and they can go on and win it. It would be lovely to end that run of years of no trophy for Aston Villa and when you win that first trophy, why not go and win three or four after?"
Under manager Unai Emery, who has previously won the Europa League, Villa are aiming to finish in the top five of the Premier League while pursuing European glory. Barry's endorsement adds to the growing belief that this could be a landmark season for the club, as they navigate the pressures of competing on two fronts with high stakes.
