Unai Emery - our manager

[chrisw1]

The most succinct summary I've heard was from The Villa Podcast last night where they said Emery "Took Brighton's system and fucked them with it"

Those lads have a beautiful turn of phrase. 

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Emery is a genius. An absolute genius.

[eamonn]

When do we find out if 5th place this season is enough for the Chumps League?

[AV84]

When do we find out if 5th place this season is enough for the Chumps League?

It's based off how well teams do in this year's European competitions, so I'd assume nothing is confirmed until nearer the end of the season. 

It's all a bit confusing and there's other variables too, but basically other English teams doing well in Europe is important this season.

[Lastfootstamper]

The coefficient is calculated on national performances in this year's competitions. So possibly not until the CL final.

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England are practically unassailable. Miles ahead of Spain. It would be practically impossible for England to be overtook.

Even if Spain got 20 more points and matched the best any nation has got in the past 4 years (England), England would still only need 7 more points (50% of everything we've got by and large for 4 years) to finish top.

England will have a 5th Champions League place.

[Mellin]

I think it's taken on a year on year basis now, with the five year average binned.

[Lastfootstamper]

Yeah, I looked earlier. It is solely on this year's competitions.

[eamonn]

We better hope it's us, Liverpool and...feckin' Man Citeh for a European clean-sweep then, I guess.

[paul_e]

England are practically unassailable. Miles ahead of Spain. It would be practically impossible for England to be overtook.

Even if Spain got 20 more points and matched the best any nation has got in the past 4 years (England), England would still only need 7 more points (50% of everything we've got by and large for 4 years) to finish top.

England will have a 5th Champions League place.

Yep, I think I saw something that suggested a couple of teams making it out of the CL groups is enough to make sure we get the extra place, was a while back though.

[PeterWithesShin]

Every win is worth points, so while it's funny seeing Man Utd etc lose in Europe, it also decreases the chances of England getting a 5th spot.

[VILLA MOLE]

Every win is worth points, so while it's funny seeing Man Utd etc lose in Europe, it also decreases the chances of England getting a 5th spot.

Are you suggesting we cheer them on ?

[TaxDodger]

Whilst I do want a 5th spot because we stand a reasonable chance of being in the mix for it, part of me knows we'll miss out on goal difference and it'll just mean there's five detestable sky clubs instead of four detestable sky clubs in it next season.

[PeterWithesShin]

We'll finish 5th and England won't get one of the top 2 spots as the most Villa thing possible happens. Last time England didn't finish in the top 2 was the last time England had 8 sides in Europe.

[Toronto Villa]

I’d like us to finish first. Failing that the top 4 so we get one of the established CL spots. I want to be free to laugh at Man U all season, be happy if/when Arsenal or Man City lose and wish PSG a 10-0 win tonight.