Aston Villa ‘favourites for the Europa League’ says Dunne

Aston Villa were unlucky to miss out on a place in the Champions League but should go and win the Europa League next season, says former defender Richard Dunne.

A disallowed goal at Old Trafford on the final day of the season proved costly as Unai Emery’s side eventually finished in sixth place in the Premier League.

But Dunne says that after shaking off that disappointment they can go on and emulate Tottenham by winning the second-tier competition in the coming season.

He told William Hill Vegas: “The disallowed goal was a joke. You can understand Aston Villa’s frustration.

“It’s disappointing that they’re not in the Champions League but they’re now straight away the favourites to go and win the Europa League next season, in my opinion.

“They should look at next season as a chance to win a European trophy. So it was a slightly disappointing end to the season but looking positive for the future.

“They’ll be there or thereabouts in the top five looking for a Champions League spot again, that’ll be great for them. But the Europa League is an opportunity for them to get their hands on a trophy, which they haven’t done for a long time.”

Villa last won a trophy in 1996.

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