Sir Alex Ferguson has been praised for his audacious Aston Villa claim at the start of the season which has since come true.
On the opening weekend of the Premier League season, Manchester United legend Ferguson made an appearance on NBC Sports and was asked who has impressed him the most. And his response surprised many.
While many might have expected the Scotsman to say Arsenal, Liverpool or even Manchester City, he had a very different answer.
He said: “To be honest with you, I watched Aston Villa against Newcastle, and I can’t believe the scoreline [5-1].
“Honestly, Aston Villa played fantastic football, and just lost bad goals.
“Newcastle are going to be very difficult to beat, in their own ground in particular, and the manager [Eddie Howe] has done a great job there.
“But it’s a surprising game, football. I mean, you can play teams off the pitch but you don’t score, and that’s what happened to Aston Villa.”
Fergie’s call was a bold, considering that Villa had just been thrashed 5-1 by Newcastle at St James’ Park.
But the 82-year-old, who won a record 13 Premier League titles with United, saw things no one else could – and was proved right with Villa securing themselves Champions League football for next season.
One fan wrote: “This has to go down as one of the best calls ever? Alex Ferguson saying Aston Villa were the team to take out of the opening weekend after they lost 5-1 to Newcastle. 4th place and Champions League secured tonight. Some job from Unai Emery.”
Another posted: “Fergie is a legend for a reason, 13 time PL winner can foresee things clearly.”
A third said: “Because he’s the greatest manager to ever exist.”
While this fan put: “How about that for foresight.”
On Tuesday night, Villa secured Champions League football against the odds after Tottenham lost to City.
Spurs can no longer mathematically leap ahead of Villa, who are assured of their highest finishing position since finishing fourth in 1995/96.
It comes after a stellar campaign from Unai Emery’s men, with players including Ollie Watkins, Douglas Luiz and John McGinn proving pivotal.
Next season will see Villa play in the elite level of European football for the first time since the 1982/83 season, having won the European Cup the campaign before.
News Summary:
- Fans praise Sir Alex Ferguson for ‘one of the best calls ever’ as bold Aston Villa claim resurfaces
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