Is Aston Villa Good Enough for the UEFA Champions League?

Who would've predicted that as we approached the end of the Barclays Premier League, Aston Villa would be in contention for a UEFA Champions League spot? Not many indeed but under the guidance of the Martin O'Neill, Villa are surely giving the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal a run for their money.

Despite a 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at Villa Park, The Villains sit proudly in fourth place—a point away from the Blues and seven ahead of the Gunners who played out another 0-0 draw at home to Sunderland.

Breaking into England's much acclaimed 'Big Four' of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal has been a dream for many clubs though the likes of Everton and Tottenham Hotspur have tried in vain to cripple the monopoly that seemingly forever exists.

If Villa manage to cling on to the fourth spot till the end of the season, they will go through for Champions League qualification and this at the moment seems a real possibility!

Indeed, Aston Villa don't have a 'star-studded' squad but I still believe they have what it takes to compete with Europe's elite.

In Martin O'Neill, they have a competent manager, who is fully aware of his duties and can keep the squad on their toes but even their cavalry is full of numerous 'hidden gems'.

Brad Friedel, Gareth Barry, Emile Heskey and Martin Laursen all have experience and quality which boosts Villa's ability to expand.

Gabriel Agbonlahor, Ashley Young, and James Milner are the 'lynch-pins' in Birmingham, with pace and power, they are Aston Villa's main attacking threat.

Steve Sidwell, Stiliyan Petrov, and Nigel Reo-Coker alongside Barry reinforce the potential that lies in their midfield.

Luke Young, Zat Knight, Curtis Davies, Martin Laursen, Carlos Cuellar and Nicky Shorey—Aston Villa's defense is absolutely rock solid, consisting of passionate individuals who are capable of producing a match-winning display on any day and lets not forget the presence of the lanky centre-forward John Carew which completes Aston Villa's raging force.

Once they get into Europe, I'm sure Randy Lerner and Martin O'Neill will continue to splash the cash as they ensure that Villa can compete with the best around Europe.

They might get into the Top Four but if they are to get into the Champions League, they have to go one better than Everton and qualify for it!

Let's Go Villa!