VAR, top four and Crystal Palace

I'm starting with VAR because frankly, I think it's ruining the game. Can it make it make the game better, I'm not sure. Can it make it more fair, I think yes. But it isn't ready and I don't believe testing it on the Premier League is the right place.

When VAR was brought in, it was to support the referees with clear and obvious errors. Today, it's looking at everything, even offsides that are a millimetre or three on the wrong side. That isn't a clear or obvious error and it's not the spirit of the game.

But that is why the percentage of correct decisions is better than before VAR and what a lot of people will throw that statistic at you. But VAR also makes wrong decisions and referees are becoming lazy. Maybe lazy is the wrong word, but they're just waiting for VAR. It's not in the spirit of the game and it doesn't feel right.

And it's not part of the game. If it was part of the game, all professional leagues would have it and all countries would use it. It's essentially a choice.

And even though I don't think it will be scrapped, there is a chance. And I want to disclaimer this with until a time when it's ready and it acts as the assistant it was supposed to be and the referees on the pitch are back in control.

Champions League next season

This is probably what I should have started with, but I'm still thinking about it. And it's not just that we're playing in the Champions League, it's the possibilities that follow with this.

We will have more fit players next season, essentially a bigger squad. With that squad comes a degree of rotation. I think if we're learnt anything this season, it's that the squad got us to fourth, not a starting eleven.

We also learnt, that while playing European football and getting to a semi-final, the squad we have is good enough to compete in the Premier League. And no doubt one or three will go this summer, but they will be replaced and I trust that the manager will bring in players that strengthen that squad.

Those possibilities that follow with getting Champions League football start to feel quite exciting. They say the hardest part about getting promoted to the Premier League is staying up. I think it's fair to say that it's the same for getting into the Champions League. 

I think we're in a good place and next season is going to be a fun one.

Crystal Palace on Sunday

So, we finish fourth with a game to go and we finish the season in London. And because we've qualified and because there is a freedom and because Crystal Palace have started to play some really good football, I'm expecting a good game, with goals.

And I hope Ollie Watkins gets his 20th. It's been a long time coming for us and he deserves it. I'll be in Dublin on Sunday, looking for a bar, so this might end up as the match post. If you see me adding match facts tomorrow or Saturday, take that as the case.

And before I go and before the season ends, I have to write it one more time. What a time to be an Aston Villa fan.

Match facts from the BBC

Head-to-head

Crystal Palace

Aston Villa