Gabby Agbonlahor is backing Aston Villa to challenge for top four next season

Gabby Agbonlahor has predicted his former club, Aston Villa, to challenge for a top-four finish next season.

After a poor start under Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool legend was replaced by former Arsenal and Paris Saint Germain manager Unai Emery.

Since the Spaniard took over, he has taken Villa from a relegation battle to fighting for European places within months.

A strong end to the season meant Villa will play in the Europa Conference League next season.

Now, former striker Agbonlahor has tipped them to challenge for the top four next season.

Speaking on talkSPORT, he said: “Since Unai Emery came to Aston Villa, if you look at the league table I think Villa would have finished in the top four.

“Had he started the season God knows where Aston Villa would have finished. So, he's got a pre-season now, he has got to bring in players.

“He has already signed Tielemans and Villa have money to spend. It wouldn’t shock me if Villa are fighting for the top four.”

He added: “That’s what you want. No one is guaranteed, apart from Man City you would say, to finish in that top four.”

During the season, former Arsenal striker Ian Wright praised Emery’s work whilst speaking on Match of the Day.

He said: “(He has done) an unbelievable job and you can see the improvement in the players. I read an interview with John McGinn saying how meticulous he is and how they know exactly what they’re doing, everyone knows their job. So even if they go behind in games, they know they just have to stick to their job because he is such a meticulous manager.

“Douglas Luiz is a good example of someone that has massively improved. He’s been fantastic, he’s a good player as it is, but his numbers since he’s been under Unai Emery have been fantastic. John McGinn, Tyrone Mings, have been fantastic. We see Ollie Watkins as well, doing fantastic.

“Before Unai got there, it wasn’t really happening for him (Luiz), what they’ve done now, look at his numbers under Unai. Under Steven (Gerrard) it wasn’t really working out but now, he’s gone to another level.”