Former Red predicts there will be ‘an opening’ in the top-four race after Villa and Spurs stutter

Aston Villa’s recent lacklustre run of form has again opened conversations over whether they’ll finish the campaign in the Champions League places.

As has been the case in most seasons post-Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United have found themselves scrambling to finish as close to the top four as possible rather than being involved in a title race.

The odds are stacked against them to do so this time around, given that they currently sit nine points away from Villa and six away from fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur – with a game in hand on the former due to their FA Cup triumph last weekend.

All the contenders’ results have dampened their hopes as of late; Villa have recorded just one point in their past two outings, while Spurs sustained a 3-0 defeat away to Fulham. United overturned Everton 2-0 at home on March 9, although that came after back-to-back defeats to Fulham and Manchester City.

As such, Erik ten Hag and his men must do their utmost in their remaining 10 matches to ensure they’re as close to the positions as possible and keep their fingers crossed that neighbouring teams continue to stutter and leave gaps for United to capitalise.

An uphill battle for the 20-time champions

Michael Owen believes the race for fourth has been blown open in recent game weeks, but is doubtful that the Reds can do enough to take the opportunity with both hands.

“There will be an opening there. Wrighty [Ian Wright] touched on it, I don’t think Manchester United are good enough to take it – I don’t think they’re good enough to claw back nine points against a good Aston Villa team,” he explained on The Kelly and Wrighty Show.