Ahead of today's Premier League clash between Sunderland and Aston Villa, we got the inside scoop from a true Villa Park regular. We sat down with BBC fan writer Hannah Gowen to break down Villa's season, their key players, and the mood in the camp as they chase a historic finish.

Hannah describes Villa's campaign as a classic "up-and-down" ride. A concerning start was quickly forgotten thanks to a brilliant run of form across the Premier League and Europe, though a January stutter—caused by losing three key midfielders—provided another test of their resolve. Despite the bumps, juggling multiple competitions has been a success, with a European semi-final secured and a seven-point cushion in the race for the Champions League.

"For the first time in my life, I really do fancy Villa to win something," Hannah says, highlighting the growing belief under Unai Emery. Ending a thirty-year trophy drought is the ultimate goal, and a semi-final against Nottingham Forest presents a real opportunity, despite a poor historical record at the City Ground.

When asked about standout performers, midfielder Morgan Rogers gets the nod, even if he's shown signs of fatigue from a heavy workload. The recent return to form of striker Ollie Watkins and the creative boost from Youri Tielemans' comeback from injury are also seen as major positives for the run-in.

However, it hasn't all been smooth sailing. Goals have sometimes been hard to come by, with Watkins experiencing dry spells and a lack of production from the wide attacking positions. Hannah points to the January departure of Evan Guessand and the limited impact of players like Harvey Elliott and Leon Bailey as areas that have held the team back at times.

With European glory and a top-four finish on the line, Aston Villa's season is building to a thrilling climax. Their experience in handling the pressure of Thursday-Sunday football could be the deciding factor as they aim to make history.