'Emery remains Villa's trump card' in chase for Champions League spot

If the loss to Manchester United in Unai Emery's 100th Premier League game increased the doubt over his side's ability to remain in the top five, the win over Fulham in his 50th Premier League game in charge of Aston Villa proved they are not going to give up a potential Champions League qualifying position without a fight.

Emery's 25 Premier League games this season mirror exactly his record from the first 25 he managed last season. Now, he only has to beat the paltry 12 points from 13 matches Steven Gerrard managed in first part of the campaign.

Emery will no doubt surpass this 'Gerrard tax' to improve on Villa's seventh-placed finish in 2022-23, so now the quest simply boils down to Champions League or Europa League qualification.

Off the field, increasing whispers of cost-cutting and FFP compromise means Champions League qualification will mean a lot to the club beyond the on-the-pitch achievement. It will certainly help smooth Aston Villa's trajectory in the short term, as well as bringing excitement to the fanbase.

Without the six points Villa somewhat gifted to Manchester United this season, Erik ten Hag's team would be currently 17 points adrift of Emery's and arguably out of reach.

While the media at large favour United clawing back the five-point gap because of Villa's injuries and still being active in Europe, Emery remains Villa's trump card.

He has already proven he can sustain Villa's success over long stretches of games and last season's strong finish will hopefully act as a dress rehearsal for a chase for what will be a bigger prize.

David Michael can be found at My Old Man Said