Champions League Contention

[Footy-Vill]

It's now Champions League time thread.
The Project for Aston Villa was to compete in ‘upper echelons’
Back when Dean Smith was coach he said the club wanted to ‘emulate and surpass’ Leicester’s progress.
It wasn't all smooth with Gerrard but it's an upward trajectory since Emery is now our man.
An elite manager taking us to elite levels. As the owners have always wanted.

Emery now has us in European Competition and in the top 4 contending for Champions League he said it was with Aston Villa "An ultimate aim of playing is to be in the Champions League"

On 26th November 2023 Villa moved to fourth place in the Prem after a statement victory.
Emery said afterwards:
“There are seven contenders to be in the top four: Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Newcastle and Chelsea. We are not a contender"
But he was smiling. He was playing down expectations.
And 5th place is a possibility for an expanded Champions League next season.
2 of the best performing teams from leagues in Europe 23/24 will be awarded an extra place.

So the very real discussion now that Villa are a Champions League contender?
I think and believe Villa are.
 
I'm honoured and thrilled to open this thread to focus on and discuss Champions League aims for this season and beyond!
 
Go Villa!

[Footy-Vill]

Keeping eye on current champions league teams this week.
I very much hoping we'll be involved next season.
Love big European Games!

[ChicagoLion]

Rhymes with African car reverser.

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Rhymes with African car reverser.

Assonance

[Pete3206]

If we're in the top 4 in April, I'll take this seriously.

[Toronto Villa]

This thread only has an unhappy ending.

[PeterWithesShin]

This thread only has an unhappy ending.

Same as most of your new player threads 

[olaftab]

Oh FFS.

[Toronto Villa]

This thread only has an unhappy ending.

Same as most of your new player threads 

Haha I think you’ll find my new player threads are mostly fucking brilliant. And Joe Bryant is a ******.

[Footy-Vill]

In many ways, we will want Premier League sides to perform well in European matches proceed and succeed (somewhat begrudgingly) This is because the reward for fifth place in the Premier League now goes to the Champions League.

I believe the aim of this thread is for when people feel ready to join the discussion then they are more than welcome to chat about us , Aston Villa as contenders and our champions league aspirations.

If you don't feel ready to discuss or contribute about Villa going for Champions League and are more cautious or set in ways of thinking that's ok I do understand , but really there is no business for you in this area as it's not aiding Champions League discussion.
Don't you see this is new, it's  a good opportunity to open minds to a new way of thinking
Just like Emery has with the players.

I want to and hope to watch Villa in the Champions League next season.
There I said it!
And feel better for sharing it !

[Footy-Vill]

If we're in the top 4 in April, I'll take this seriously.

This thread only has an unhappy ending.

Oh FFS.

Consider that the mainstream media, including print, digital, and social and media formats, are increasingly including and discussing Villa, including discussion and acknowledgment as a prospective Champions League team!

Not having this thread about Champions League would not be honouring the progress and dreams we have for our fantastic club.
It's a disservice to everyone on H and V if I didn't start a specific Champions League section.
 
The Champions League aim is a present and ongoing situation for me. And the club. And I'm sure pretty much every one here. Yes It's a dream, it's somewhat optimistic, but it's also a target and possible. It's certainly far from impossible.

So I stand and say if you want to join the dream and communicate your hopes about Champions League qualifying, then go ahead. I can tell you! It feels great !
There's nothing to lose. We have hope, we have an opportunity, and why not discuss it?

Emery isn't asking his players to be hiding away or thinking not of progress and not pursuing aspirations, and neither should we on H and V
 
In any case, ideally, everyone wil be here come sooner rather than later.

Up The Villa!

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

When we qualify for this so called "Champions league" should we....

1) Politely decline to partake on the basis that the majority of contestants are not champions.

or

2) Reluctantly accept and once we have achieved utter domination we can from a position of strength insist it reverts to a knock out format which you can only enter if you have actually won your domestic league or are the existing holders from the previous season ?

[Risso]

Bumping your own thread after nobody replied and it disappeared onto page 2? Sad, very sad indeed.

[Beard82]

Worth it for Lockhead in the airs comment

[Footy-Vill]

Bumping your own thread after nobody replied and it disappeared onto page 2? Sad, very sad indeed.

Yes, I understand where the lack of comments and belief stems from, given that we have never qualified for Champions League football and have never competed in the Champions League format competition.

Perhaps we should make a new forum rule that no discussion about the Champions League should take place unless we actually officially qualify.

Oh no, Champions League talk whatever next ?! Let's leave that to the other Clubs who are serious in contending eh? Let us not be allowed to discuss our own hopes and the owners' or Emery's hopes and desires. No perhaps we should just hope Villa do not try to progress as a club. Is that more of what the thinking and tone is Risso and other people? Because that ain't what this thread is about so sorry to disappoint you !!

Because I'll tell you something.
You'll change over the course of this season. Some people will take longer than others to accept that Villa are Champions League Contenders.

Emery instilled belief to the players and I'm passing the message on here.
We can all feel proud of our club and the ambition.