Things are heating up in (a particular section of) the Premier League. As football fans enjoyed a fine slate of Champions League action in midweek, for a few top-flight clubs it was a reminder of what could be theirs in 2025-26 if they manage to complete one simple task: finish in the top five.

It's looking like it will go down to the wire, with Villa's statement on Saturday putting Unai Emery's team in a great spot

When you say it out loud it sounds a bit wild but when you think about it, it really isn’t: Aston Villa should be Premier League title contenders next season. Even the most ardent Villa supporter may raise an eyebrow at that statement,