Aston Villa will be locked in a battle for Champions League football on the final day of the Premier League season
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Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher(Image: Getty Images)
Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher have both predicted Aston Villa to qualify for the Champions League this weekend.
Unai Emery’s side face Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, knowing a win could be enough to see them return to UEFA’s elite club competition.
They reached the Champions League round of 16 this season, but it feels like they have unfinished business after having French champions Paris Saint-Germain on the ropes in the second half of their last-eight second leg at Villa Park.
After beating Fulham, Bournemouth, and Tottenham, Villa will be targeting a fourth successive win to give themselves the best chance of finishing in the top five.
If they win, they will make the Champions League if Chelsea fail to defeat Nottingham Forest or if Newcastle United don’t beat Everton at home.
Meanwhile, if Man City lose to Bournemouth tonight, then it will be in Villa’s hands on the final day.
“They will give Chelsea a tough day, 100 per cent,” Neville said of Forest on Sky Sports. “I am not sure that Chelsea are going to go there and win.
“It depends what Old Trafford is like on Sunday. It could be euphoric or it could be a difficult atmosphere, depending on what happens on Wednesday night.
“I think if Villa win, they will get into the Champions League because I think Forest will take points off Chelsea.”
Asked what kind of United Villa will face, Neville said: “If that trophy parade is on, then it will be euphoric after winning a trophy. However, if they weren’t to win, then Old Trafford could be a very difficult place.
“I think that if United win, that will make it a little tougher for Villa on Sunday. If Villa can win at Old Trafford, I think they will get into the Champions League.”
On Man City’s chances, Carragher said: “It’s not easy. On the back of playing a cup final - Wembley is a big pitch - Bournemouth didn’t play at the weekend, you’ve lost [the cup final]. You need to lift yourself again.
“Bournemouth aren’t the team who you want to play because they are aggressive and they get after you.
“I think Chelsea and Nottingham Forest could both miss out. I think that could be a draw. I don’t see Chelsea going there [and winning].
“The atmosphere will be electric. Nottingham Forest deserve that. I am not sure Chelsea have the character to go there and win. I think Villa and City will go in.”
Neville added: “I agree with him, I think Forest and Chelsea will probably draw.”
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