Will Aston Villa hold on to their place in the Champions League?

"Two months ago, Aston Villa were just three points off top spot in the Premier League. They were on a run of 12 wins in 14 games that included victories against Manchester City and Arsenal. Their run of eight consecutive wins in the league was their best since they won 10 in a row in 1910."

"Arsenal tore Villa apart in a 4-1 win in late December and victories have been hard to come by in the new year they have only won three of their last nine league games. Liverpool, Manchester United and Chelsea are still below them in the table but the gap is narrowing."

"Unai Emery's side looked anxious and lacked inspiration for long periods of the game. A slow start left them chasing the game and, not for the first time this season, they relied on a set-piece goal to bail them out of trouble."

Aston Villa began the season in exceptional form, winning 12 of 14 games and sitting near the top of the Premier League. However, their performance has declined sharply since late December, winning only three of their last nine league games. A 4-1 defeat to Arsenal marked a turning point, and subsequent results have been inconsistent. Their recent 1-1 draw against Leeds at home, salvaged by a late goal, revealed deeper issues including anxiety and lack of inspiration. With Manchester United and Chelsea closing the gap, Villa's top-three position and Champions League qualification are now in jeopardy. The team's reliance on set-piece goals and slow starts has become problematic.

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