Lee Dixon: Arsenal Can Nick It 1-0 at Atletico Madrid & An Aston Villa Assessment

In his exclusive conversation with BOYLE Sports , Lee Dixon turns his attention to Arsenal 's Champions League campaign, their semi-final tie against Atletico Madrid , and whether a European triumph could compensate for missing out on the Premier League title.

Dixon also weighs in on Aston Villa 's Europa League chances and whether Unai Emery 's side have what it takes to challenge for the title next season.

From the Emirates to the Wanda Metropolitano , the former Arsenal defender gives a thorough assessment of where both clubs stand heading into the business end of the European calendar.

Champions League

Pressure Off In League?

The Premier League title race takes the pressure off a little bit going into the Champions League for Arsenal . I used to look at the way the fixtures were, knowing that a Champions League game was coming, and you're kind of in a position where you go, 'It's a totally different type of football.' You get your mindset freshened up. You go, 'Wow.' Because you're concentrating on the game that's coming up, the Premier League , the Premier League , and then all of a sudden you get this next week. You get a refreshed kind of look on your computer that goes, 'Right, we're playing this. Right, now what are we doing? Who are we playing against?'

The style of play is always different against the European teams, regardless of who they are. You're always looking at it, going, 'They play a slower type of game in certain areas of the pitch, but quicker in other areas.' So, it's totally different and refreshingly invigorating for the players. I always found it. I can only talk for myself, but going into European games used to give me a proper lift, even if I was tired. I'd get a boost from it and go, 'Yeah, this is different.'

Again, they've got a brilliant opportunity to get themselves into a Champions League final. It's going to be tough because the game between Barcelona and Atletico was brilliant. I really loved both legs, and the standard of football that they produced was just sensational. So it's going to be tough.

Prediction: Atlético Madrid vs Arsenal

Take A Draw Away From Home

I always think that you take any draw away from home all day long. If you've got a draw in any away leg of any European competition, I'd take that. If you got offered that, take it. So, if Arsenal come back with a draw, they're quite capable. We've seen in the Champions League this year they are producing extraordinary results, and their record is brilliant. So, there's no reason why. There's one or two of them showing a bit of fatigue, but I'm sure their players are tired as well. It's about turning that off and turning on the bright vision that you need to go into these games and not feeling sorry for yourself.

It's a semi-final in the Champions League , come on. If you need motivating for this, you're in big trouble. So, a draw would be great. I could see Arsenal nicking it 1-0. I could see the other result as well. I think they're a very, very good side. So, I think it's right up in the air, balance-wise, but obviously I'll go 1-0 to Arsenal .

Would A Champions League Victory Be Enough?

Arsenal , as a whole, have always prioritised the league. The vision and thought process, drilled into me since first signing back in '87/'88, is that we win the league every year, or we challenge for it every year, and everything else is a bonus. I don't think that has changed. Certainly, from Mikel Arteta 's point of view, the Champions League would be a big feather in his cap, but if he could pick one now, he'd pick winning the Premier League . No doubt.

Would winning the Champions League appease the fans? Probably. Yeah, you'd probably get away with winning the Champions League and going, 'Well, we came second again. Next year we'll do it.' If they didn't win either, the questions are going to be asked: 'How many years can we finish second before we get over the line?' The fans would probably let him off if they win the Champions League .

Aston Villa

How Will Villa Finish?

I've been really impressed with Aston Villa this year. The size and quality of their squad sometimes seemed a bit thin, and they certainly went through a spell of all their midfield being out and them struggling a little bit. However, I do think they have a master tactician at the helm in Unai Emery . He's brilliant with the way he sets the team up. I really like him. I think it was just the wrong time at Arsenal when he went. The timing wasn't right for him, and he didn't do very well there, but he's found his home at Villa .

There's no reason why they can't win the Europa League and finish in the Champions League spots. They've resurrected themselves after that poor bit of form, and they have energy and pace in the team. They have desire because of him. You can't help but like how enthusiastic he is on the sideline, and that comes across in training as well, so the players are all buying into his energy levels. I'm a big fan of his. I love going to Villa Park , it's one of my favourite old grounds. And I think using that in their favour for European games has been a big plus for him.

Title Dream

There was talk of Aston Villa being right up there this season, but it kind of fell away a bit as far as the top spots were concerned. But the owners will be looking at it and thinking that with potential Champions League money, with this position, because you don't build up to get to where they are and then want to waste that and have it just flitter away. You don't want to end up coming back down to seventh, eighth again, and then have to build yourself up.

So, they might be looking at it and saying, 'This is a real chance now to go that last push and just see,' and then throw everything at it next season and see what happens. And then you can always consolidate a little bit after that, take a breather and say, 'This is where we kind of more or less are: fourth, fifth, sixth,' before you recalibrate and go again.

Ultimately, you have to have a go at some point. I mean, they've had a bit of a go this year and, as you said, if they're in a position because of the success they've had, or relative success they've had, if they were to win a trophy and get into the top five, then they're in a position to go, 'What else are you going to do with the money?' I mean, if you can spend it, then spend it and try to go to that elite level.

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