It wasn’t possible to clinch a Champions League place against Tottenham Hotspur but it was certainly possible to lose one. It was the definition of a must-win but that scenario doesn’t seem so daunting at the right end of the table.
Aston Villa have come an awfully long way in a very short amount of time. Since they were promoted in 2019, scraping survival in their first season back in the Premier League, even since they got rid of football manager cosplayer Steven Gerrard, they’ve changed beyond recognition.
It’s easy to see that Unai Emery is building something special with the backing of Monchi and the club’s owners. You can feel it. It’s obvious. But it shouldn’t be overlooked that going into the final game of this season with hopes of qualifying for the Champions League is already an achievement.
In pure league terms, finishing in the top four was the target and the likelihood is that Villa will fall short.
But reaching the Champions League quarter-final and the FA Cup semi-final and still having something to play for next Sunday makes this a season worth shouting about.
That’s what the Spurs win really meant.