Aston Villa’s recent dip in form could see them scrambling for a Champions League finish later in the season, which would only benefit Arsenal because of the timing of the Villans’ clash with Manchester City.
The talk of Unai Emery being a better manager than Mikel Arteta has quietened as the season has progressed, as Aston Villa’s form has dipped.
Arsenal fans would have anticipated such, given how Emery’s Arsenal squad would operate throughout the course of a season.
Be honest. Did Unai Emery deserve more time at Arsenal or was he rightly sacked?
While Gooners haven’t been a fan of Emery of late, Arsenal supporters should be on the former manager’s side when the run-in reaches the home straight, as the Villans still have Manchester City to play.
Aston Villa might have additional motivation to beat Manchester City in the fight for Champions League football
Villa missed out on qualifying for the Champions League last season, and this season could disastrously end up being the same if current form continues.
In true Emery fashion, Villa won 12 out of 13 games before the turn of the year, seeing that run end as Arsenal beat them 4-1 at the Emirates.
Ever since, Villa haven’t been the same, collecting only three wins from their previous nine league fixtures, form that has seen them go from being comfortable in the race for the top five to very uncomfortable.
You might be wondering what this has to do with Arsenal, and the answer is that Villa visit Man City on the last day of the season, and will be desperate to win.
Can you see Man City tripping up in any of these games after facing Arsenal at the Etihad?
With Chelsea, Manchester United, West Ham, Nottingham Forest, Sunderland, Fulham, Tottenham, Burnley, Liverpool and Man City left to play, Villa have a real challenge to qualify for the Champions League.
A few wins along the way will make things easier, but pressure won’t be entirely relieved, which is why the final day of the season could see Villa do Arsenal a potentially title-winning favour.
Emery’s side could enter the final day without knowing their Champions League fate, giving them more motivation than ever to beat City, which could just hand Arsenal the title.
Love or loathe Emery, Arsenal fans will be backing the former boss on the final day as if he were still a Gunner, but of course, it’s on the North Londoners to make use of that situation if it arises.
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