Alan Shearer believes Aston Villa are well-placed to clinch a Champions League spot this season, pointing to a timely return to form and favorable remaining fixtures as major advantages. The Premier League legend expects Unai Emery’s side to finish in the top five, edging out Chelsea and Nottingham Forest in the final weeks.
Villa have hit their stride at the perfect moment. After a difficult stretch earlier in the year—just one win in seven league matches—they’ve now recorded five straight victories, including commanding performances against fellow contenders Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United. Their latest, a 4-1 demolition of Newcastle, pushed them level on points with the top four, only trailing on goal difference.
With five matches remaining, Villa still face both Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United—teams who are focused more on their Europa League campaigns than domestic results. Shearer sees this as an edge for Villa, with both Spurs and United potentially rotating squads or lacking urgency in league fixtures.
“At this point in the season, it’s tough to predict results,” Shearer told the BBC. “But when you consider that United and Spurs are prioritizing Europe, that plays into Villa’s hands. They’ve got momentum, and they’re facing teams who might not be fully focused on the league.”
Shearer, who has been impressed by the European nights at Villa Park, believes maintaining Champions League status is essential not only for sporting success but also for financial stability under Premier League sustainability rules.
“Villa and Newcastle have both had a taste of the Champions League now. The fans, the players, everyone is hungry for more. I was at Villa Park for their comeback attempt against PSG—it was electric,” he said. “Getting back into that competition is massive, not just for ambition but for staying competitive financially.”
Predicting the final top five, Shearer sees Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle, and Villa qualifying for Europe’s elite competition. As the season reaches its climax, every point will count—but Shearer is betting on the Lions to roar their way into the Champions League once again.
