Tough for Villa to replicate last season - Shearer

As Newcastle found out last season, it is going to be tough for Aston Villa to replicate last season's top-four finish now they have Champions League football to contend with.

Villa were in the Europa Conference League last season so were used to playing Thursday-Sunday but this is a much bigger ask. They have signed a few players to give their squad more depth but a lot of them are untried in the Premier League.

It might work out because Unai Emery is an excellent coach, and I am sure they will challenge again, but it is hard to see them maintaining their consistency.

Read more from Shearer on the upcoming Premier League season