Alan Shearer has backed Tottenham Hotspur to secure the final Champions League qualification spot after their big win over Aston Villa last weekend.
With Manchester United slightly falling away from the race for fourth, Spurs’ trip to Villa Park last Sunday was dubbed a six-pointer, with John McGinn even labelling the contest as the most important game in Villa’s recent history last week (Guardian).
Tottenham delivered a statement performance at West Midlands, thrashing the home side 4-0, with the result not only serving as a huge boost to the Lilywhites’ chances of finishing fourth but also potentially serving as a massive dent to the morale of the Villa squad.
While Unai Emery’s men still sit two points ahead of Tottenham, the North Londoners do have a game in hand over their opponents.
Tottenham vs Aston Villa in the race for top four
While Shearer believes that Spurs are slight favourites to clinch the final guaranteed Champions League spot, Micah Richards is hopeful that the Premier League would be awarded an extra spot in the competition so that both sides can qualify.
When Gary Lineker asked on The Rest is Football podcast: “Who’s going to finish fourth, Spurs or Villa? It’s almost as difficult as the league probably, but Spurs have the momentum at the moment.
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Shearer replied: “Spurs I would say, yeah, just.”
Richards added: “Spurs have got a game in hand, haven’t they? Let’s just hope it’s a top five so we get Villa and Spurs in the Champions League.”
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Sunday’s result did feel like a season-defining one and I would not be surprised if Villa fall down a cliff over the next few weeks, particularly given that they will be without McGinn for three games.
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