Will we qualify for the CL?

[ROBBO]

Liverpool especially will come at us, which to me is an advantage, we struggle against packed defences.

[BC Villain]

We won't make the top five and we may miss out on Europe altogether at this rate.

Bear in mind we have played 5 of the bottom 7 twice already. Given the opposition, just two points from the last three games has been really costly.

We're in touching distance because of Duran.  Take his goals away we would be 16th.

[Demitri_C]

We've been spoilt by the CL games this year (apart from the £97 admission prices, obvs) but it will be so gutting not to be in it next season.

I'd rather not be in the Conference, we tried it and it wasn't for us. It's for Blose teams. The Europa League isn't too bad but it's still beneath us too.
We need to keep dining at that top table so pass the vol-au-vents and let's just win Big Cup if that's what we gotta do to be in it again.

I dont agree mate ww cant start thinking european competitions are beneath us. I dont care what competition  we are if it means we are more likely to win a trophy

[rougegorge]

We only have one 'easy' fixture left at Southampton and unless we somehow have a transformation at the back and stop conceding,  the prospect is very unlikely.

[Meanwood Villa]

We've been mediocre in the league for two thirds of the season now. 21 points in the last 17 equates to nearly 47 points over a season, which is Gerrardesque in truth. Bit mad we've stayed in touch as long as we have but that's slipping away now. As others have mentioned, this is our "easy" portion of the calendar and we've fucked it. So very glass half empty today.

[Rigadon]

We've been mediocre in the league for two thirds of the season now. 21 points in the last 17 equates to nearly 47 points over a season, which is Gerrardesque in truth. Bit mad we've stayed in touch as long as we have but that's slipping away now. As others have mentioned, this is our "easy" portion of the calendar and we've fucked it. So very glass half empty today.

I understand the sentiment, especially after yesterday's wasting of another chance to put pressure on the sides above us, but we're talking a couple of wins and we're back in amongst it.  If we do get 5th now, it will be doing it the hard way.  But that is also known as the Villa way, so it's possible.  Beat Liverpool and Chelsea, and it's back on in my mind.  Draw or lose both and let's just focus on the cups we're still in.

I think next season's Villa will look quite different to the one this season regardless of which European cup we're in.  So, if we miss out on CL, so be it.

[Goldenballs]

This time next weekend we'll likely be closer to Man Utd/Spurs, than 5th.

Unless we go on an unlikely looking winning run, we're not getting Champions league next season.

[ChicagoLion]

Citeh are having a terrible season and are 6 points ahead of us.
Unless we win the next 2 then forget it.

[algy]

Starting to feel like winning the European Cup is our best chance of playing in it next season now!

In honesty, I think it’s not totally beyond us, but I’m not expecting it now. UEFA Cup seems about the highest level we’ve got a realistic chance of qualifying for, Conference League more likely again.

Would really rather we be playing in Europe next season though in whatever competition we can. It’d be a huge step backwards if we weren’t to have European football at all.

[olaftab]

Every time Chelsea, Newcastle and Forest sneeze instead of throwing pepper in their direction we hand them a tissue. We have blown our chances well and good now.

[Rigadon]

Starting to feel like winning the European Cup is our best chance of playing in it next season now!

In honesty, I think it’s not totally beyond us, but I’m not expecting it now. UEFA Cup seems about the highest level we’ve got a realistic chance of qualifying for, Conference League more likely again.

Would really rather we be playing in Europe next season though in whatever competition we can. It’d be a huge step backwards if we weren’t to have European football at all.

I'm not sure about how arsed I am about playing in the Conference League again to be honest.  I know that's heresy for a lot of people, but do the benefits of playing in that competition outweigh the distraction from trying to qualify for the CL again?  Not sure.  Europa League, yes to that though.   

[Clampy]

Every time Chelsea, Newcastle and Forest sneeze instead of throwing pepper in their direction we hand them a tissue. We have blown our chances well and good now.

Why have we? Still a long way to go.

[olaftab]

I'm not sure about how arsed I am about playing in the Conference League again to be honest.  I know that's heresy for a lot of people, but do the benefits of playing in that competition outweigh the distraction from trying to qualify for the CL again?  Not sure.  Europa League, yes to that though.   

I can't believe you and some others have this opinion about  Conf League. Two things to remember:
1. We qualified for Champ League whilst playing in the Conf.
2. We MUST get used to the drum beat of playing mid week European football so it's necessary that we are involved in any of the 3 competitions. The involvement builds and hardens our squad.
Anyway this "distraction" thing is crap. I am not where it has worked well with successful clubs?
The negative is that we stop rolling for a bit by either losing better players or not being able to add top quality.

[Tony Daleys Shorts]

The reason Unai prioritises the league is he knows the importance on qualifying for European competition year in year out.

Next season will suck if we have no European football.

[Demitri_C]

I'm not sure about how arsed I am about playing in the Conference League again to be honest.  I know that's heresy for a lot of people, but do the benefits of playing in that competition outweigh the distraction from trying to qualify for the CL again?  Not sure.  Europa League, yes to that though.   

I can't believe you and some others have this opinion about  Conf League. Two things to remember:
1. We qualified for Champ League whilst playing in the Conf.
2. We MUST get used to the drum beat of playing mid week European football so it's necessary that we are involved in any of the 3 competitions. The involvement builds and hardens our squad.
Anyway this "distraction" thing is crap. I am not where it has worked well with successful clubs?
The negative is that we stop rolling for a bit by either losing better players or not being able to add top quality.

I agree olaftab. We could just play a 2nd team for group stage in conference. Now its the big  league format we will play some very poor sides so we can afford to rotate more than the CL.

I would be ok playing in the conference to be honest and as you say we did get 4th playing in that competition so i am ok with  it.