The minority report

[dave.woodhall]

This could be interesting.

https://heroesandvillains.info/2025/04/07/the-minority-report/

[ldavfc4eva]

Sadly, spot on Dave

CL is a minimum requirement if we want to keep on improving in the manner we are vastly becoming accustomed to.

FA cup is a one off bit if glory, to some the missing trophy that we will just never win in their lifetime.

Would also take CL if it was offered vs the cup

[PeterWithesShin]

FA Cup. Purely selfish reasons, I could drop dead in the summer and I want to see us win it before I die. And if both happened I wouldn't give a toss who leaves and what we do after as i'll be worm food.

It wouldn't be so easy to decide if I knew I definitely had another 20 years.

[Des Little]

It’s the ultimate conundrum for old bastards like me, who have spent years telling all who’d listen that winning the FA Cup is pretty much all I want to see, mainly based on the fact that the ECL was always an impossibility from where we’ve been. But now, I’m really torn - I’m still saying FA Cup, but if we were to beat PSG…

[tomd2103]

I can see where you are coming from Dave, as there will be a very large hole in the finances from this season if we aren't in the Champions League next season.  For the short to medium-term future of the club that could be massive and have a pretty far-reaching impact.

That said, I just feel that this could be the time with the FA Cup and it's the one trophy that would probably 'close the circle' for me.  That and the Europa League place it brings would more than do for me.  There would be likely be implications of missing out on the Champions League, but seeing a Villa captain lifting that cup at Wembley would be a memory to cherish for a lifetime.

[ROBBO]

Sadly the top European competitian is the only game in town for all the serious clubs. As Dave rightly pointed out the fight to maintain and attract the better players be all the more difficult without it. For the future Emery and the owners want for Villa winning the F A cup would be a nice distraction but do nothing to solidify Villa needing to be seen as a top English club, which leads me to question how many years would we have to be in the top five before the press would automatically consider us as such?

[Legion]

Done. Very valid points but from a purely selfish reason it's the FA Cup for me. The only honour I have not experienced seeing us win in my lifetime.

[Brazilian Villain]

I wouldn't criticise anyone who wants CL qualification above all else, as I recognise the importance of the CL cash for the club's long-term growth. However, I'd still take the FA Cup and 6th over no trophy and 5th. With the way things have panned out, it's a great opportunity to win the FA Cup. Give Unai another tilt at the Europa League, and I think we'll be in contention for the CL spots again next season anyway.

I still think the most likely outcome is that we go out to PSG, finish 5th, and reach the FA Cup final. After that, it'd be down to what happens on the day and either Citeh or Forest would be tough opponents.

[aldridgeboy]

I think for where we are aiming , we have to stop thinking "either/or" The top clubs think "both".

[edgysatsuma89]

It's just an hypothetical, obviously everyone thinks both.

[Rigadon]

While it’s still a novelty, being in the CL is like playing a load of cup finals.  As such, I want that again next season.

[Brend'Watkins]

Entry to the CL has to be the main aim as it gives us a better chance of success in all competitions the following season, particularly the league. Jam today is fine as we haven’t had any for a while but jam every year would be great.

[rob_bridge]

Sadly the top European competitian is the only game in town for all the serious clubs. As Dave rightly pointed out the fight to maintain and attract the better players be all the more difficult without it. For the future Emery and the owners want for Villa winning the F A cup would be a nice distraction but do nothing to solidify Villa needing to be seen as a top English club, which leads me to question how many years would we have to be in the top five before the press would automatically consider us as such?

To fair it took Spurs best part of a decade, a new stadium and multiple near misses including ECL final and Premier League runners up, attract Tier 1 management replacements.

So we have made huge strides in 6 years to come back from the dead and the last 2 means we matter more than we have done since mid 90s in all honesty but the next step is very hard.

[ozzjim]

I agree with everything written. I agree with all the arguments.


But.... Give me the FA Cup. Europa will be brilliant, Unai will win it, we'll be back in the CL and loving that we've won 2 cups.

[Nii Lamptey]

FA Cup for me, but I think/hope we'll get both. I see your reasoning and it makes total sense, but 'qualifying for Champions League' doesn't go down in the history books - Winning trophies does.

If we don't remember that, we may as well rename ourselves Tottingham Hotspurs.