Aston Villa Top Four Hopes Stronger After Liverpool Draw with Birmingham

Aston Villa's hopes of achieving a UEFA Champions League spot came from the most unlikeliest of sources on Monday, as fierce rivals Birmingham City drew 2-2 with Liverpool at Anfield.

It's a welcome surprise for the Villans, as not only were Birmingham playing a top-four team in the shape of Liverpool, but it was at the daunting arena of Anfield, and it's even more surprising considering it was Birmingham City helping the Villa cause!

In a very strange way, it was actually good watching the game at Liverpool. Cameron Jerome struck the goal of his life, and it was an entertaining match for the neutral, and, of course, it was a result that left the Reds deep down in seventh, two points from fifth placed Villa, three points from fourth, and a whopping 11 points from leaders Chelsea!

And looking at the Premier League table, that lucrative and elusive fourth Champions League spot has never been closer for Aston Villa.

Liverpool look like a team who could seriously be departing from the giants of the "top-four," with a rejuvenated Tottenham Hotspur, cash-rich Manchester City, and, of course, the mighty Aston Villa all in serious contention to take Liverpool's place.

This season it has never been more achievable for Villa to break into the top four, with several more key players in top form than last season, which culminated in a unspectacular anti-climax and an eventual sixth-place finish after looking odds-on for a top-four finish.

Looking at key performers for Villa's top-four hopes this season, you'd start with the wings. Ashley Young has been in his usual spectacular form, with scintillating performances for both club and country.

And the club's other wizard winger, James Milner, has finally come of age. In just the start of this season alone, Milner's brilliant crosses, superb vision, and sublime skill have already repaid the club record £12 million fee used to lure him to Villa Park from Newcastle United 15 months ago.

When it comes to the goal threat up-front, it's important to have top-quality strikers, and that's what Villa undoubtedly have in Gabriel Agbonlahor, whose fantastic finishing, intelligent forward runs, and great pace have caused nightmares for opposing defenders this season.

But there's another frontman who deserves recognition in John Carew, the former Lyon star who has used his brutal strength, decent striking, and expert finishing to deliver the goods when it matters most.

And lastly, new man Richard Dunne has been a reliable rock in the heart of defence alongside Carlos Cuéllar, providing the stability that was lacking at times last season, especially toward the business end when it really counted.

So with more key men performing brilliantly (Stephen Warnock deserves a mention, as does the ever-reliable Brad Friedel) and proving there is life after Gareth Barry, never has it been a better time for Aston Villa to break into the top four.

With Liverpool falling, Tottenham not looking most convincing despite their positioning, and Manchester City becoming the new Premier League draw specialists, could this be Aston Villa's time to shine?