Unai Emery plays down Aston Villa’s top four chances and claims there are SEVEN teams more likely to finish above them after his side’s 2-1 triumph over Tottenham
- Unai Emery does not believe Aston Villa can qualify for the Champions League
- Sunday’s 2-1 win at Tottenham moved Villa above Spurs and into the top four
- The curse of our game is abuse of referees, we are not doing enough to stop it. The punishments must be HARSH – It’s All Kicking Off
Unai Emery is adamant Aston Villa are not realistic contenders for Champions League qualification – insisting seven clubs have a stronger chance of a top-four finish.
Villa inflicted injury-affected Spurs’ third consecutive loss to move fourth in the Premier League table on Sunday.
But he immediately moved to say his team should not be viewed as top-four challengers, saying: ‘There are seven team who are contenders more than us for the top seven positions, while we are there we are going to try to enjoy it and keep it.
‘Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham, Chelsea and Newcastle.
‘We can get confidence from wins like this. But it is still clear in my mind, we need balance. It’s 38 games, we have to show consistency.
Unai Emery does not yet believe Aston Villa can qualify for next seaon’s Champions League
Ollie Watkins’ second-half winner against Tottenham moved Villa into the top four on Sunday
Villa have lost just one of their last nine Premier League games and are currently just two points behind league leaders Arsenal
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‘We are in a good position but not a contender but while we are there we have to try to keep it.
‘We have to be happy, we have to enjoy and be demanding as well. Now we have to rest and think about Thursday and then Sunday against Bournemouth.’
His opposing manager Ange Postecoglou insists Tottenham will emerge stronger from their recent slump provided they stick to their footballing principles.
Spurs dominated for large chunks of this clash; captain Heung Min Son had three goals disallowed – but failed to convert their dominance into victory.
But Postecoglou is confident his team will return to winning ways provided they replicate this level of performance.
‘The outcome is obviously disappointing for our fans and players but I thought they did a fantastic job in playing the football we want to play,’ said the Australian.
‘Any other day it’s a game we win comfortably but it is fine margins in football. Not happy with defeat but what you’re looking for is belief and intent with what we want to be.
‘I thought it was some of the best football we have played all year. We take the pain but in terms of progress, we continued down the road we want to.
Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou believes his side will emerge stronger from a recent slump that has seen them lose three games in a row
Postecoglou’s injury’hit side was weakened further against Villa when Rodrigo Bentancur was forced off in the first half
‘We will get through this as long as we show the same intent. If we keep playing in that manner when we get everyone back – we are going be a pretty good football side.’
Rodrigo Bentancur, making his first start since February after recovering from a long-term knee injury, limped off with an ankle problem to add to Spurs’ sizeable injury concerns; while Pape Matar Sarr failed to make the squad after picking up a hamstring injury while on international duty with Senegal.
On Bentancur, head coach Postecoglou added: ‘We are not sure, it wasn’t a great tackle. It’s his ankle I think. He’s such a creative player, it’s the last thing we needed another injury.
‘We’ve got eight (injuries), Bentancur nine. We lost Ashley Phillips in the week as well. We’ll get through it, it might take a while but we will get through it.’
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