Villa can reach knockouts with 16 points – Emery

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says his players are halfway towards reaching the likely points tally needed for automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16.

Villa topped the Champions League table after three games with nine points.

The top eight after eight matches in the new 36-team league format reach the knockout rounds.

Those finishing ninth through 24th must play an extra play-off round in February to reach the last 16.

Villa are away to Club Brugge – who have one win and two losses so far – on Wednesday night.

And Emery says a win in Belgium would leave them just a few points short of what he thinks will be the mark for a top-eight finish.

“We have the possibility to get one step ahead in this competition, to be a contender in the top eight,” he said on Tuesday evening. “This is a really amazing objective we can achieve.”

“We are aware about the possibility to get the fourth victory, 12 points and the expectation for the next round to be in the top eight.

“Maybe it is 16, 17 points [needed]. The best teams in Europe, they will be there.”

Villa are playing in the top level of European club competition for the first time since the 1982-83 season, and have already claimed victory over one continental giant in Bayern Munich.

Emery said they expect to keep upsetting the odds.

“There will be some surprises if we are getting there, we are a surprise, we are not contenders or favourites to be in the top eight,” he said.

Villa will be without Matty Cash and Ross Barkley against Brugge, with Emery confirming the defender and midfielder have “small injuries”.