Aston Villa find themselves on the cusp of the Premier League's elite, sitting just a single point outside the top four as the season pauses for its third international break. Unai Emery's squad, now dispersed on international duty, will reconvene with European qualification firmly in their sights.
The Villa Challenge: A Mixed Bag of Opponents
When domestic football resumes, Villa face a challenging sequence of five matches that could define their season. The action kicks off with a trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United, followed by a heated West Midlands derby at Villa Park against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
The fixture list intensifies with a journey to face Brighton on December 3, before a massive test against league leaders Arsenal arrives just three days later. This demanding period concludes with a visit to the London Stadium to take on West Ham United.
Villa currently occupy sixth position with 18 points, demonstrating their consistent form under Emery's leadership. Notably, three of their next five opponents currently reside in the Premier League's bottom five, presenting both opportunity and pressure to secure vital points.
Rivals in the European Chase
The battle for Champions League qualification remains fiercely competitive. Chelsea, sitting third under Enzo Maresca, face Burnley (A), Arsenal (H), Leeds (A), Bournemouth (A), and Everton (H) in their corresponding fixtures.
In a remarkable development, newly-promoted Sunderland have stunned the league by occupying a top-four position. Their impressive credentials include a victory at Stamford Bridge and a draw against Arsenal. Their challenging run includes Fulham (A), Bournemouth (H), Liverpool (A), Manchester City (A), and the Tyne-Wear derby against Newcastle United.
Tottenham Hotspur, whom Villa defeated 2-1 last month, face Arsenal in the North London derby next, followed by Fulham (H), Newcastle (A), Brentford (H), and Nottingham Forest (A).
The Pack Chasing Villa
Immediately below Villa on goal difference, a cluster of clubs including Manchester United, Liverpool, and Bournemouth await any misstep. Manchester United's schedule includes Everton (H), Crystal Palace (A), West Ham (H), Wolves (A), and Bournemouth (H), before their trip to Villa Park on December 21.
Liverpool will view their upcoming matches against Nottingham Forest (H), West Ham (A), Sunderland (H), Leeds (A), and Brighton (H) as a favourable opportunity to regain momentum.
Bournemouth, having seen their early promise checked by consecutive defeats, face West Ham (H), Sunderland (H), Everton (A), Chelsea (H), and Manchester United (A). Crystal Palace, just one point behind Villa, complete the top ten and play Wolves (A), Manchester United (H), Burnley (A), Fulham (A), and Manchester City (H).
By the conclusion of this five-match cycle, the Premier League's European picture will have gained significant clarity. For Aston Villa and their ambitious manager, this period represents a golden opportunity to stake their claim among England's finest.
