Spurs get Champions League boost as Aston Villa set to sell another key player

Tottenham Hotspur will be gunning for the top four when the new Premier League season kicks off. Having started the 2023/24 season so well, Spurs fell away somewhat and could only finish fifth in the end and a place in the Europa League.

Ange Postecoglou‘s side started the season like a house on fire, unbeaten in their opening ten matches of the campaign. But injuries, suspensions and international commitments hit the side hard and despite challenging for the top four all the way to the end of the campaign, they just came up short.

Aston Villa were the side to pip them to fourth spot, securing Champions League football under Unai Emery. Both sides will be eagerly awaiting the two European draws for the newly-expanded competitions this season.

Villa will want to show the Premier League that it is not a one-off, with the club bound to be going for the Champions League once again when the 2024/25 season kicks off.

But Emery may be hamstrung by what is going on behind the scenes. Villa were one of a number of clubs who needed to balance the books this summer in order to comply with Financial Fair Play and Profit and Sustainability Rules.

They have already signed six players – Ross Barkley, Ian Maatsen and Cameron Archer chief among them – but have also said goodbye to four – Philippe Coutinho going on loan to Vasco da Gama, Tim Iroegbunam to Everton, Morgan Sanson to Nice and the big one, Douglas Luiz to Juventus.

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Luiz was one of Villa’s standout players last season, and losing him leaves a massive hole in the side, which could hit their hopes of a Champions League place next time around.

And another deal could further knock Villa back. Reports have suggested that Al Ittihad are ready to stump up £60million to sign Moussa Diaby this summer, with the player already having agreed person terms.

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Diaby is another who was an important member of Emery’s first team last season and big changes will be mde to the starting XI for this coming season. That could play into Tottenham’s hands in the race for a top four spot, although there is plenty of time for Villa to add to their squad before the season begins.

There is also plenty of time for Spurs to make big changes to their squad, which is seen as necessary by Postecoglou as he looks to strengthen ahead of the new campaign. Timo Werner, Lucas Bergvall and Archie gray havwe all already arrived in N17 this summer.