Published: 17:00, 8 April 2026 | Updated: 17:00, 8 April 2026

Unlike Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea, Aston Villa can win a European trophy this season and have performed better than Chelsea and Liverpool in the Premier League. So why do many fans feel as though their club are forever walking a tightrope?

Even though their title challenge faded when their best midfielders got injured in the winter, Villa still have two routes into next season’s Champions League.

Overcoming Bologna in the Europa League, with the first leg in Italy on Thursday, will take boss Unai Emery a step closer to his fifth title in this competition, which would also secure a Champions League spot for Villa. The top five in the Premier League will also get the golden ticket and Villa are currently fourth, six points clear of sixth-placed Chelsea with seven matches to play.

Villa know that if they fall short both at home and in Europe, a great deal is likely to change. But regardless of where they finish, Villa are already under pressure to sell this summer to comply...