For the first time since 1983, Aston Villa will play in the UEFA Champions League next season.

Tottenham Hotspur – Villa’s biggest rivals for the top four English Premier League (EPL) spot – were beaten 2-0 by Manchester City at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England last night, Tuesday 14 May.

The loss places the Spurs five points behind Villa. With one game remaining, it’s highly unlikely that they will be able to climb their way back up. This will be only the third time the Villans have finished in the top four of the EPL.

Unai Emery, manager of the newly-qualified UEFA side, was thrilled as he learned about the news during the annual awards night for Villa’s players and staff.

“It’s a very special day today,” he said in an official statement on the club’s website, which included pictures of the elated athletes celebrating. He went on to add: “It’s our dream, it was our dream when we started the season to be here.”

The last time Villa played in the Champions League was 41 years ago in the 1982-83 season, when the tournament was known as the European Cup. The Villans won the competition the season before but failed to qualify in the years that followed.

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