Are We Nervous Yet?

As the Premier League reaches its conclusion in a few days-time (by the time you’re reading this, the season will already be over and all of the questions answered), there are still various clubs with something to play for in terms of European Competition Qualification.

Up and down the country, fans of Aston Villa, Newcastle United, Manchester City, Nottingham Forest and Chelsea will be getting nervous about their teams PL fixture on the last day of the season, with a number of scenarios still in-play.

At the time of writing, all of these clubs can still qualify for the Champions League, but by the same token, all may have to settle for the Europa League or Conference League – it looks like producing a final-day classic which will keep supporters on the edge of their seats as positions swap and change during the games, until we all know who finishes where as final whistles sound across delighted or devastated stadiums!

As far as Aston Villa are concerned, Unai Emery’s men really couldn’t have done more to achieve Champions League qualification with 8 wins from their last 9 games.  Only a devastating last minute winner for Man City has prevented them from occupying pole-position as we go into the final weekend; as it is, Villa need to beat Manchester United and hope that either Chelsea, Newcastle or Manchester City lose their game – this will secure a Champions league spot and give The Villans consecutive seasons in Europe’s top-tier competition, with all of the profile and finance that delivers.

Oh how Villa must be ruing dropped points against relegated Ipswich Town, or last minute goals for teams who should have been seen-off long before managing to score – still, to still be in the race as we reach the end of the season demonstrates just how strong Villa’s second half of the season has been.  Lying in mid-table during January, they looked very unlikely to qualify for any European football whatsoever, so to be where they are is certainly a positive however the final game plays-out.

As good as Unai’s team have been since January, the opposite can be said of Nottingham Forest.  Ensconced comfortably in third place for a large portion of the season and looking certainties for Champions League qualification, their form has fallen of the proverbial ‘cliff’ and has seen them drop out of the top-5 Champions League spots – they are now the outsiders for CL places and must beat Chelsea in their final game to have any chance of making it.

Of course, you will already know how it turned out – fingers crossed for the men from Villa Park, but for what it is worth, here is my prediction for that final table!

1st  Liverpool

2nd Arsenal

3rd Newcastle

4th Manchester City

5th Aston Villa

6th Nottingham Forest

7th Chelsea