Aston Villa Champions League Team

Aston Villa reach Champions League for first time

Villa's qualification will bring an immediate cheque for £16.02m

Villa's 68 points so far is also their second most in a Premier League campaign

Aston Villa have qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history after securing a top-four finish in the Premier League.

Villa's qualification will bring an immediate cheque for £16.02m, an increase from the £13.44m teams received for entering the competition last season.

Villa's 68 points so far is also their second most in a Premier League campaign, behind only the 71 points they accumulated in the 2013/14 season.

Villa have never won a major European trophy, but they did reach the final of the European Cup in 1982, where they lost 1-0 to Bayern Munich.

Villa's qualification for the Champions League is a major achievement for the club and their manager, Dean Smith.

Smith has led Villa to promotion from the Championship and then to a top-four finish in the Premier League in just two seasons.

Villa's qualification for the Champions League is a testament to the hard work and dedication of Smith and his players.