Ian Wright wasn’t too pleased with Jamie Carragher playing down what Aston Villa can achieve ahead of the new Premier League season.
Unai Emery’s side surprised many, including their own supporters, by securing a top-four finish last season.
Now, Aston Villa will play Champions League football and try to showcase their talents against some of the best teams in Europe.
Aston Villa proved last season that they could play midweek games and still achieve high-level performances and results in the Premier League.
But now that they are playing in Europe’s elite competition, some think that it will have a bigger effect on them and they won’t finish in the top four.
That’s the thinking from Carragher, but former Arsenal striker Ian Wright was quick to remind him about who is in their dugout and the signings that they have made this summer.
Wright pointed towards Villa signing Amadou Onana from Everton and Ian Maatsen joining from Chelsea after he helped Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final last term – Onana named the one Villa player who played a part in him joining.
At first, Wright had gone for Liverpool to get into the top four, but then he admitted ‘I have changed my mind’ and pushed for Villa, as he told Stick to Football.
Aston Villa backed to finish in the top four
“We can’t not have Villa in the top four,” said Wright. “Not the way he (Emery) is moving and the signings that he has made. You can’t not have Villa.”
Gary Neville then reminded Wright: “You said Liverpool.” To which he responded: “I have changed my mind. We are doing it when we don’t really know what’s going to happen. They have made a couple of really good signings – that’s what I am saying, it’s that manager. They have got a goalscorer. Good midfielders. Onana has gone there. Maatsen at left-back. I am telling you. Ezri Konsa at the back. Their whole spine is brilliant.”
Carragher then stated: “Villa won’t get top four. I think the Champions League takes a lot out of mentality.”
A view of the Champions League trophy prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Third Qualifying Round Draw at the UEFA Headquarters, The House of…
Aston Villa’s summer transfer window
It has been a very busy one, to say the least, and they are expected to bring in more players – and offload players – before the window slams shut at the end of the month.
Diego Carlos’ future at Villa hangs in the balance, with the hard-hitting centre-back not featuring during his side’s final pre-season loss at Dortmund.
The main talking point during these final few weeks is expected to hinge on the club’s forward areas and the future of Jhon Duran.
Chelsea could hijack Aston Villa’s move for Joao Felix, with Emery very keen to bring the player in, but nothing has been resolved yet.