Unai Emery
Aston Villa is gearing up for their upcoming Premier League fixture against Tottenham Hotspur, following their recent Europa League encounter. Manager Unai Emery has emphasized the importance of maintaining focus on the league, particularly with the goal of securing a spot in the Champions League next season.
Unai Emery said: “We are now focusing on the match on Sunday against Tottenham. Yesterday, everything that happened is now done and it was the first part of the two legs we are going to play. We are analysing, but we are going to have a break from analysing and focusing on the second match at home against Nottingham. It is going to be very important, but now we have to focus in the league. Yesterday, everything that happened with the referees and the decision of VAR, those issues, I spoke about it yesterday in the press conference. I think it is done.”
Unai Emery continued: “Each match is very, very important in the Premier League. We are on matchday 35. Of course, the priority yesterday was Forest in the Europa League, but the priority is the Premier League – to be consistent and demanding there, to achieve our huge challenge this year: to be again in the Champions League.”
Asked how many more points Villa need to achieve Champions League qualification, Unai Emery said: “It depends! When we won in the last minute against Sunderland two weeks ago, I was positive. Last week against Fulham, I was not too positive about everything we are doing and about the points we need to get the fifth, fourth, or third positions. There are some teams behind us and they are performing well, like Brighton or still Chelsea, with their potential and capacity to win a lot of matches at the end of the season. We must get our own matches, focusing on those matches and trying to get points. The first one is against Tottenham on Sunday. I am positive and delighted with how we are arriving at the moment we are in now, playing in a semi-final and being in the position we are in the league.”
Emery’s comments underline the importance of the upcoming match against Tottenham, as Villa aims to solidify their position in the Premier League standings. With the league nearing its conclusion, every point is crucial in the race for Champions League qualification. Emery acknowledged the competition from teams like Brighton and Chelsea, who are also vying for a top-four finish. Aston Villa’s consistency and current form have been commendable, and Emery remains optimistic about their chances. The focus now shifts entirely to the league, with the immediate task of overcoming Tottenham on Sunday.
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