Aston Villa are targeting a return to the Champions League this season, whether through their league finish or by lifting the Europa League trophy at the end of May.

They enjoyed a lucrative run in UEFA’s top-tier competition last season, reaching the quarter-finals before being beaten on aggregate by eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain.

Advancing to the final eight was a hugely impressive achievement for Villa, who defeated Club Brugge 6-1 across both legs, having previously lost 1-0 in the league phase at the Jan Breydel Stadium.

This season, Villa won’t just be aiming for another deep run in European competition - they’ll be targeting the Europa League title and an end to their long wait for silverware.

Tottenham defeated Manchester United in last season’s final in Bilbao and are now reaping the financial rewards of that success.

The difference in prize money between competing in the Champions League and the Europa League is stark.

If Villa were to win the Europa League, they would earn around £26 million in prize money. By contrast,...