Aston Villa have been told by the representatives of a forward that he’d sign for them this summer regardless of their Champions League status, with Unai Emery and NSWE handed a potential transfer boost by this news.
Aston Villa given Champions League hope after win over Tottenham
Emery’s side, depending on results elsewhere, still have a chance to book their place in the Champions League draw for 2025/2026 after a precious win over Tottenham at Villa Park on Friday evening.
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He’s enjoyed an excellent season.
Goals from Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara mean the Villans remain in contention for a coveted spot in Europe’s most prestigious competition, coming after they reached the Champions League quarter-finals this term and unluckily bowed out to favourites PSG.
|
Race for Champions League qualification with 2 games remaining |
Points |
Games played |
|---|---|---|
|
2. Arsenal |
68 |
36 |
|
3. Newcastle United |
66 |
36 |
|
4. Chelsea |
66 |
37 |
|
5. Aston Villa |
66 |
37 |
|
6. Man City |
65 |
36 |
|
7. Nottingham Forest |
62 |
36 |
Villa would probably need to beat struggling Man United at Old Trafford while hoping rivals drop key points, with Chelsea set to play fellow European hopefuls, Nottingham Forest, on the final day while Man City have a game in hand.
While the Champions League race could eventually fall out of their grasp, Emery has explained what is really important to him in the grand scheme of things, on Villa’s journey to become an elite-level side.
“The most important thing for us and for me, and how we can really progress, is by being consistent through the Premier League over 38 games, getting the points needed to always be in the European positions,” said Emery before Villa’s win over Spurs, in an interview with Sky.
“We are trying to have a clear identity, trying to connect with our supporters, how we are playing, with our style, our intensity, our skills. This is very important because I think we need to achieve the heart of the supporters to get the energy that we need.”
Aston Villa told that Rashford would re-join regardless of Champions League status
Their European endeavors will have an effect on their recruitment plans, as world-class players are usually more attracted to the possibility of playing Champions League football, as is predictably the case.
They’d also get a transfer boost financially, so the result of Villa’s standings after their final matchday will have a profound effect on their plans for next season off the field.
However, this apparently isn’t the case with £300,000-per-week Man United loanee Marcus Rashford, who’s enjoyed a productive temporary spell in the Midlands with 10 goal contributions in 17 matches (four goals, six assists).
According to journalist Graeme Bailey, writing for The Boot Room, Rashford’s representatives have told Villa that Champions League qualification “isn’t necessarily needed for him to re-sign”.
The England international has refused to rule out staying at Villa beyond this term, even if he does hold a preference for Barcelona, and remains open-minded about his future past 24/25.
Villa possess an option to buy Rashford for £40 million, and according to this report, United will not deviate from that price point – so NSWE know what is required to keep the winger.
