What a difference just seven days can make in football. On the 10th March, Villa players trooped off the pitch having just dismantled Wolves by four goals to one. The league leaders were reined in, Villa were a whisker away from the automatic promotion spots and there was a good feeling around the club. Just seven days (and two defeats) later, automatic promotion seems to be very far away.
There is, of course, still some hope of getting an automatic spot. Villa are seven points behind second-placed Cardiff with eight games to play, including a home fixture against the Welsh side on 10th April. However, Cardiff have a game in hand, which makes the seven-point gap a little misleading. Moreover, Cardiff have been in scintillating form, winning seven in a row, whereas Villa have been busy losing to the likes of QPR and Bolton.
YouTube: Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Aston Villa | Extended highlights
Playoffs look like the only viable option now for Bruce’s men
It really does seem that the Playoffs is the only option left for Villa fans’ dreams of a quick return to the Premier League. Of course, that won’t be easy either. If the league ended today, Villa would be playing Derby County in the semi-final. The good news is that they have also been shoddy of late, not winning since 3rd February in a seven-game winless streak. The bad news is that they showed they are an accomplished side when beating Villa 2-0 in December.
It also looks like Middlesbrough and Fulham will be the other two sides in the Playoffs. Although, Preston, Bristol City, Sheffield United and even Millwall should not be ruled out yet. Here are the latest odds from Sky Bet to win the Playoffs:
Fulham 2/1
Aston Villa 10/3
Middlesbrough 9/2
Derby 6/1
Bristol City 12/1
Preston 16/1
Sheffield United 20/1
Millwall 40/1
Several teams still in the Playoff hunt
Of course, if you are a dreamer you can still back Villa at 200/1 to win the Championship, but that might take a miracle on a ‘Leicester City 2016’ scale. But the reality is that Villa are looking at those 10/3 odds and the slog of the Playoffs. If you want to catch some free bets to use on Villa, check out these betting offers in the UK sports markets.
The fact remains that this season has been a disappointment, especially given the ambition of the club to bounce back. There have been too many false dawns and too many patchy runs. December (P6, W1, D3, L2) was particularly awful, and may be the period when the chance of an automatic promotion spot truly slipped away.
Playoffs unknown territory for Aston Villa fans
However, there is still cause for optimism. At the very least, Villa fans are likely to experience the Championship Playoffs for the very first time. While most fans will have loftier ambitions than that, it still can’t be doubted that the Playoff Final is one of the most exciting games in football. Should Villa get there, the occasion could be one to remember.
Getting there is the key, of course. That means Steve Bruce must start planning now for the seemingly inevitable semi-final date in mid-May. The disappointment of the last week must galvanize, rather than inhibit, the side. Despite Villa’s history and stature, any one of those sides listed above will represent formidable opponents. That’s the reality of where Villa are at the moment.
