Unai Emery admits Champions League qualification ‘might be impossible’ for Aston Villa despite their brilliant form under the ex-Arsenal boss… but the Spaniard is still aiming for a ‘Europa League and Conference League’ finish
- Aston Villa are currently in sixth place – just six points behind the top four
- Unai Emery started his tenure at Villa with a 3-1 win over Manchester United
- Fans shocked by chicken and chips with RAW meat in Aston Villa’s midweek win
Unai Emery has called Aston Villa’s hopes of Champions League football ‘possibly impossible’ ahead of their crucial visit to Premier League rivals Manchester United.
Sixth-placed Villa are six points behind United, who occupy last place in the Champions League and have played two games less, going into Sunday’s clash at Old Trafford.
“The last step is to stay in the European places,” said Villa manager Emery, whose side are unbeaten in ten games and have won eight.
“We escaped the bottom, we made it to the top 10 and now the European place is the last step, but it’s more difficult.
“There are five games left for us, but not for Liverpool, Brighton, Manchester United.
Unai Emery believes Champions League football may be just beyond his side’s reach
Aston Villa has been one of the teams in form in the Premier League since the end of the World Cup
“We have to look forward to Sunday’s game and enjoy the opportunity ahead of us.
“Europe can of course be Champions League, Europa League or Europa Conference League.
“Champions League is very, very difficult, maybe impossible.
“Europa League and Conference League could be, but it will also be very difficult.”
Emery started his Villa reign in November with a thrilling 3-1 home win over United.
At the time, Villa – who lost 4-2 to United in the Carabao Cup a few days later – were just one point above the relegation zone and playing in Europe for the first time since 2010/11 looked highly unlikely.
But after beating Fulham mid-week for a sixth win in seven games, Emery said: “We’re now fighting teams like Tottenham and Liverpool, three or four years ago they were both in the Champions League final.
“We’re fighting with those teams now, with the same players, and then Brighton, who are having an exceptional season, are delivering brilliant and great performances as a team and deserve to be there too.
Ollie Watkins’ goals have propelled his side after a third straight double-digit term
Villa will be next in action against Manchester United on Sunday and will have to do without four key stars
The former Arsenal boss started his tenure with a 3-1 win over Man United at Villa Park
‘And we are with them. Three months ago we were a big (points) gap with them.
“We deserve to get this chance and to have the latest new target ahead of us – enjoy it with our supporters and of course try to be very demanding to get it.”
Villa will again have to do without Matty Cash, Philippe Coutinho, Leon Bailey and Boubacar Kamara at Old Trafford.
Emery says the four players are “close” to a return and hopes they can all train next week.