Former Tottenham star Darren Bent has sounded out a warning to Chelsea and Liverpool ahead of the new Premier League season.
Bent believes that Aston Villa could take the final Champions League place this season.
Villa made it to the Europa Conference League this season.
The club has witnessed a lot of transformation under Spanish manager Unai Emery.
The former England attacker believes the Villains can go one step further next season.
They finished just one point behind Brighton in sixth, with Liverpool six ahead in fifth and Newcastle ten points clear in fourth.
Chelsea and Liverpool will be looking to finish top four along with Tottenham.
“Villa is the team to watch,” Bent told talkSPORT.
“I think when you look at their recruitment and what they’re doing with Unai Emery, I’m not saying they’re going to win the league because I don’t think they will but I think they’ll be a lot closer to Europe.
“Maybe even push it for long spells, the Champions League, so I’d probably say Villa are my outside bet.
“I think they could be in the next pack but without the top one to challenge for that top four.”
