Reporter reflects on Aston Villa’s campaign ahead of busy summer

National World - LocalTV

The latest West Midlands sport headlines, from Daniel Wales.

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00:00Birmingham World reporter Charlie Haffenden has been reflecting on Aston Villa's previous campaign

00:06in which they finished 6th in the Premier League, qualifying for the Europa League

00:10as well as looking back at some of the matches in their memorable campaign in last season's Champions League.

00:17I think it's difficult to pick just one to be honest.

00:20The Champions League run was just incredible.

00:22Qualifying for it in the first place was such an achievement.

00:25I think even if Villa got knocked out in that league phase,

00:28they wouldn't have been too disappointing.

00:29At least they would have had the opportunity to play within it.

00:32Playoffs would have been good enough.

00:34Finishing between 9th and 24th, finishing the top 8 was just absolutely incredible.

00:39And that win over Bayern Munich at Villa Park, which was the start of that run,

00:42was such an incredible night to remain unbeaten at Villa Park

00:46throughout the entire Champions League campaign.

00:48Incredible.

00:49The same could be said in the Premier League as well, apart from the opening.

00:52The first home game in the season against Arsenal that they lost,

00:55they were undefeated in every single game at Villa Park.

00:57So that's a real achievement.

00:59I think that PSG game, the second leg, even though they went out on aggregate,

01:04just a fight to get back into that game after going 1-0 down so early,

01:08to win it 3-2, the atmosphere was absolutely unbelievable.

01:12And Haffenden has also spoken about Birmingham City

01:15and the need for the Blues to carry on their momentum,

01:19found in winning League One into the Championship next season.

01:24It's so important.

01:25I can see them definitely carrying on the momentum because how could you not, really?

01:29The group of players are so tight-knit.

01:31Chris Davies has created such a great atmosphere.

01:33And when you've got so much success, success I think breeds success.

01:36I can see them being playoff contenders immediately.

01:40Maybe that's a bit too much pressure, but I think they'll be right up there.

01:43They'll be spending more this summer.

01:45They'll be addressing some areas in the squad.

01:47I think a lot of it is already good enough to compete at that level.

01:49And, yeah, we could see an Ipswich town.

01:52We absolutely could.

01:53But I think it's the story of Birmingham, not of Ipswich.

01:55It's their own story.

01:56As well, the developments under the new ownership with Tom Wagner,

02:00Tom Brady getting involved as well.

02:02There's a worldwide appeal coming to Birmingham.

02:04And when they've got the plans of a new stadium in the next 10 years or so,

02:08the new sports quarter in Birmingham, it's the whole project.

02:11It's not just the footballing side of it.

02:13And I think it's very exciting for them.

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