rubberman

Not long to go. Really hope we take the performance up a level. Going to be an anxious morning.

Getting a European spot would be so good for Archer and the other senior kids. Far better to have them in the fold under Emery's overall view than gamble on loans working out. (Though fair play to boro - it's been an excellent place for Archer and Ramsey)

Football is so sexy at times.

Really excited for tomorrow. (almost) whatever the outcome, I hope it is a good game, showcasing 2 big clubs rising from their slumbers. But also hope we do them over.

Yes, the 538 prediction has been very optimistic for Liverpool, but has been dropping recently as their form has continued to plummet. Same for undervaluing us. Generally though they seem to be reasonably accurate so shows how much we are changing form and how poorly Liverpool have been playing.

I can't quite get my head round it being April and still 8 games to go. Going to be an interesting few weeks to come. I hope we have the legs in the thin squad to keep getting results. There will definitely be twists and turns before the end.

Yes definitely. A point would be a good result.

This is going to be the big one. Get a result from this and everyone might properly sit up and notice what's going on at Villa.

I somehow always think of Villa as being rightfully 6th. Probs from the MoN days. Obviously hope and now believe we can go higher than that next season, but boy it feels good and right to be back.

Agree. You can see it in the nervy early playing out from the back that is getting much slicker now (if still occasionally anxiety inducing). Definitely down to working hard on it.

It just doesn't feel like Emery's Villa will fall to banana skins - there seems to be a new narrative where we perform as expected. 2-0 please.

Leeds, West Ham and Everton I would enjoy most. Think it'll be Southampton, Forest and could be anyone for the final spot.

To answer my own question - 4 and a half years. Already the longest contract we've given a manager. Just imagine where we could be if he keeps up this level of improvement.

I'd love to see the stats on activity on this thread through the season. Quite the peak for the last few days I imagine.

But equally - say we do get into the top 4 next season, then we'd be straight into the CL with f-all European experience and an even more challenging following season.

100% this. Plus keeping the more fringe senior players happy and match fit. I think would be brilliant for the Club's development and progress.

I'll take the PSG one please.

Yes - that looks dire. But you never know on the run in. There are always a few mad results - beat Southampton and on-the-beach Palace on the last day and scrape a draw somewhere (hopefully not this weekend) may be enough. Doubt it though.

How long is his contract? I'm hoping about 20 years at this point.

Southampton and Forest pretty much done now looking at their remaining games. Too tough to call the final spot. Hope it goes to the final day with 5 or 6 still in the mix. Will make for great viewing from up top.

God this is fun. As others have said, shades of our promotion run. The togetherness of the players is something I wasn't expecting from an Emery squad but seeing a team that is once again greater than the sum of its parts and at the same time seeing individual players upping their game is such a delight. Can only imagine how good it is for the youngsters who are getting involved with the first team as well. Loving it.

5th? Nine points behind, worse GD and Man U have a game in hand. Plus they play Brentford tonight who we can catch, so need them to at least draw or win. I love what we're doing, but 5th ain't going to happen - sorry to piss on your chips.

Obviously everyone is entitled to their own view, but how you can only feel 'average' about this season with the extraordinary change in fortune since Emery came in is frankly incredible. We've been in CL form for pretty much half a season now since binning the fraud.

Emery's Villa now. Leicester are shite, 2 nil win, 3 more points and finally into positive goal difference.

Still pretty sure 8th is our ceiling for this season, but that's incredible in itself. I'll still be delighted with anything in the top half, so it's all gravy. But a couple more wins this week and who knows where we might be - haven't felt this optimistic about the club since the MO'N days. For all the stop-start this season (and maybe because of that) it is an extraordinary season so far. Relegation battle is getting really tense (and a joy to watch from above). Winners and CL places still completely unknown and everyone else fighting for the last European places. Into April and not a single team has nothing to play for - don't think that's been the case before.