What do Villa, City, Liverpool or Spurs need to do to finish fourth?
Currently there are five teams running at more than the 1.78 points per game that the last ten years suggests is all that is needed for a fourth placed or better finish. Logic would suggest that Chelsea, Man United and Arsenal will all exceed 75 points over the season and will in all likelihood be the top three – but for Aston Villa, Tottenham, Man City and Liverpool there is probably only one Champions’ League slot to aim for. Firstly the clubs must negotiate the Africa Cup of Nations. Man City will be hit especially hard with Toure and Adebayor off to sunnier climes in January – and with Bridge, Richards and Lescott injured I would expect that most of the transfer recruits will be defensive ones. Liverpool, Villa and Spurs are not as exposed to the tournament. Secondly there is squad unity. If any player has the easy excuse of behind the scenes turmoil then he will be tempted to use it. So Manchester City may need a few weeks before things settle down. Villa and Tottenham look like t
