Champions League Contention

[eamonn]

Yeah, we're the only ones who seem to remember the 7-2 at a ghost Villa Park.

[Smithy]

Even if Liverpool and West Ham go out this round as looks likely, we could do with them going out swinging, as winning their matches would give us 2 extra coefficient points a piece, even if they lose the tie on aggregate.  At this stage, every single point counts.

[Percy McCarthy]

As the lads on The Villa Podcast said last week while discussing Manure catching us in the league, ‘the only thing Man Utd can do stop us getting in the Champions League is finish bottom of a group containing Copenhagen and Galatasaray.’

Spot on by the looks of it.

[edgysatsuma89]

As the lads on The Villa Podcast said last week while discussing Manure catching us in the league, ‘the only thing Man Utd can do stop us getting in the Champions League is finish bottom of a group containing Copenhagen and Galatasaray.’

Spot on by the looks of it.

Yeah, I enjoyed that line, and it's true.

[Footy-Vill]

Again, that isn't what I said at all.

I'm not suggesting that we deliberately try to avoid getting champions league, I'm just debating the idea that another season of building and moving through the competitions could be better for us longer term.

I'm not being unambitious, its just a question about sustainability and squad depth/quality

You lot are so quick to jump on certain things and twist words

No, I'm afraid I have to completely disagree, even if I think your argument raises worthwhile topics for discussion. 

Respectfully I take your point here but have you not considered that it's of benefit for the club to be aiming to seize the chance right now.
Of course, we want to grow, but way I see it every season outside of the Champions League is a threat, a setback, and stifles progress.
In addition to its status and prominence, I believe it is important to consider the opportunity the Champions League will give Villa.

Prize money, commercial revenue, and opportunities will all be available to us in the Champions League.
Why wouldn't we try to take that!
I would even go so far as to say that every season failing to qualify for the Champions League will have an impact on profile, morale, transfer moves, wages, sales, and the FFP and PSR.

Emery hasn't come here to wait around for when the time is right. And neither are our top players. He and the owners want Aston Villa to be competitive at the top table, for me, it has to be a push for the Champions League this season.

[olaftab]

Can't see them turning a 0-3 home defeat around.

They don't need to turn it around, just win the game 1-0 to helps ....Spurs.

[Brazilian Villain]

Can't see them turning a 0-3 home defeat around.

I mean, it's very unlikely but they could. The question is whether the coefficient points would be worth the media wankfest that would follow.

[Monty]

So, maths-deficient here - have Liverpool fucked us?

[Brazilian Villain]

So, maths-deficient here - have Liverpool fucked us?

Not yet, still early days.

[Somniloquism]

So, maths-deficient here - have Liverpool fucked us?

Luckily they were not playing a German team, but as we believe they might have been the only side still left to stop Leverkusen, then having them still in it was worth being dazzled by Highbeams.

But if only Leverkusen progresses to the next round from the German teams, we should hopefully get enough points still. So wins for Arse and Atletico (and us) is the only thing needed cheering on next week.

[Monty]

Hm. I sense this leaves us with an uphill battle. For which I say 'fuck Liverpool'.

[Brazilian Villain]

Hm. I sense this leaves us with an uphill battle. For which I say 'fuck Liverpool'.

The best thing we can do is get through and win the UECL, but even if Leverkusen progress, West Ham beating them in the 2nd leg would help. Same with Liverpool winning in Italy.

[Percy McCarthy]

So, maths-deficient here - have Liverpool fucked us?

Luckily they were not playing a German team, but as we believe they might have been the only side still left to stop Leverkusen, then having them still in it was worth being dazzled by Highbeams.

But if only Leverkusen progresses to the next round from the German teams, we should hopefully get enough points still. So wins for Arse and Atletico (and us) is the only thing needed cheering on next week.

And Man City.

[Percy McCarthy]

Hm. I sense this leaves us with an uphill battle. For which I say 'fuck Liverpool'.

The best thing we can do is get through and win the UECL, but even if Leverkusen progress, West Ham beating them in the 2nd leg would help. Same with Liverpool winning in Italy.

Indeed.

[Monty]

Hm. I sense this leaves us with an uphill battle. For which I say 'fuck Liverpool'.

The best thing we can do is get through and win the UECL, but even if Leverkusen progress, West Ham beating them in the 2nd leg would help. Same with Liverpool winning in Italy.

It just seems like such a well-thought-through system.