It was not what Aston Villa wanted. Their late-season Premier League push was striving toward a top-five finish and earning an additional stay in Champions League. Because of how things unfolded during the final EPL Matchday, however, those efforts fell short.
Now supporters, particularly those cheering the fact that Villa are in this competition versus CL, will look forward to the club's potential of winning silverware. On the outside, it does look like a great avenue to win a trophy.
Even in the secondary competition compared to Champions League, it is far from a guarantee. That being said, the potential of making the final on May 20th, 2026, in Istanbul is a joyful one for fans to look forward to.
As things stand now, AS Roma, FC Porto, Real Betis, Lille OSC, and VFB Stuttgart. The team, of course, that many AVFC understandably have circled and are concerned over is Crystal Palace, but that will have to be a concern for a different day for now.
What should become quite clear is that winning UEL will be far from a given. Not only are there great teams included, like the ones mentioned here, but there are also some that are not nearly as obvious excluded from the above list who will catch fans by surprise and prove to be a better opponent than what most initially realize.
This upcoming 2025-2026 season needs to be something of a test run. In future campaigns, Villa certainly wants to be in Champions League. Experiencing the atmosphere from the second leg against PSG in Villa Park is the type of feeling that, once experienced, everyone wants to experience again.
What should be expected of Aston Villa this season
While the past season has been exciting, it also shows how difficult it can be to make runs in, say, the FA Cup or CL while also keeping a strong position in the league.
Regardless of whether Villa end up winning the UEL trophy or not, Unai Emery's side needs to show their ability to go far in Europe while qualifying for a Champions League spot, particularly with England having seen their allocation increased to five.