A glance at the away dugout at Villa Park tonight should tell Unai Emery that if Aston Villa miss out on Champions League football next season, it is not the end of the world.
If Ange Postecoglou can guide his stumbling Tottenham side to a Europa League final, where a win will take them into the Champions League, surely Emery could do the same with Villa.
But finishing in the top five this term would solve several issues for Villa, whose high wage bill means they are performing a constant balancing act to stay in line with spending rules.