Damian 11 December 2025
Right, there is going to be little I can write about last weekend that hasn't been written since. That said, I can [point to things I wrote before we started the month](/aston-villa-blog/avfc-opinion/brighton-at-the-weekend-championship-feel-to-december-and-match-facts-from-the-bbc) and highlight the importance of winning the first two matches.
And beating Brighton and Arsenal has meant we have started December in the best way possible but it's only two matches and we have five more, starting tonight with a trip to Basel. And European football is very important, but having an eye on the four Premier League fixtures isn't a mistake.
We are very much in the mix at the moment and it is the result of every single match that will keep us there. And the mix isn't just the League, but some might say it's the most important. I think we can all agree, that Champions League is where we need to be. Champions League means more money and money makes the world go round.
And it's not nice that that is that, but it feels like we've embraced it and it's a great time to be an Aston Villa fan. Yes, I'm churning out the classics.
This is where I contradict myself because while needing to finish in the top four is the target, winning the Europa League gets us into the Champions League next season and it means silverware and football is all about silverware. Winning tonight, against a tough opponent that need a win in this competition will put is in a very good place.
And we know that our manager loves this competition. And ask me at any time and I'll tell you I'd prefer silverware over finishing top four. It's all about silverware. But, because we're playing the game, we do need Champions League football and right now we have two routes. What is the harm in getting both?
So, we go out tonight and we get the three points. It doesn't matter how we get them, we get them. Then we look to West Ham at the weekend. Three points on Sunday is massive. Three points tonight is just as big. Three points for every other match this season are just as big. There are no unimportant games this season.
This is the season that counts, but I now have work. Back later, maybe I'll be at the pub also.