Source: Telegraph
Martin O'Neill fears Arsenal might block Aston Villa's Champions League route
And while the scenario would only arise if Arsenal win the competition this year, O'Neill believes that the possibility is not out of the question as the London club are quite capable of doing so. [LNB]According to Uefa rules, were Arsenal to win the Champions League this season they would be given automatic entry next year, even if Villa have replaced them inside the top four. [LNB] Related ArticlesBendtner ends Arsenal drought[LNB]Bendtner rewarded by Wenger faith[LNB]Bellamy blow leaves City short[LNB]Villa are feeling the heat[LNB]Villa rue missed opportunity[LNB]Benitez gives nothing away[LNB]Villa, in turn, would have to finish in the league's top three to qualify. Even though it could harm his own club, O'Neill accepted the right of the title holders to defend their trophy. [LNB]"My own view, and I might be speaking against myself, is that if you won the Champions League, I believe you have the right to go and defend it the next year," O'Neill said. "Arsenal are capable of winning the competition, the way they are going to get their players back in the next week or so. If it was a clear, definitive rule at the start of the season then I'll abide by it." [LNB]Although it has not always been the case, Uefa amended the competition rules in 2005 after Liverpool won the competition but were replaced in the top four by Everton. On that occasion, Liverpool was awarded a place in the first qualifying round without displacing Everton. [LNB]The possibility that a fourth-placed finish might not prove sufficient throws greater weight on Villa's capacity to close out the season in style, and challenge for a finish even higher up the table, a tall order considering they face "an exceptionally difficult run in" to the end of the season, which includes a trip to Manchester City on Wednesday. [LNB]
