Unai Emery accepts it will be tough for Aston Villa to keep hold of third position in the Premier League due to the “power” of chasing pack Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.
Villa have won one of their last four league games, allowing the teams behind them to make up ground. And Emery admits they are now looking over their shoulder as they look to cement a top-four spot and a return to the Champions League.
He said: ”I know it’s going to be very difficult to keep the position because we have three teams behind us in Man United, Chelsea and Liverpool. They have the power to get us. The challenge is to keep the advantage we have now.”
Villa are three points clear of fourth-placed United and six ahead of Chelsea and Liverpool.
Emery praises Wolves ahead of Molineux clash
They have the chance to put pressure on their rivals when they play first this weekend, away at Wolves tomorrow night.
It has been a dreadful season for Wolves but Emery has seen enough of Rob Edwards’ side to know it will be far from easy at Molineux, and highlighted the reverse fixture at Villa Park as evidence.
“It was the coach’s [Rob Edwards’] second or third match coaching Wolverhampton and we won. We didn’t deserve to win and they performed fantastically. They played a fantastic game. I remember it,” he said.
“Chelsea had two penalties in two minutes [against Wolves], not clear for me. Against Arsenal, they drew against the best team in the Premier League and maybe the world. Against Crystal Palace away, they lost in the last minute with one player less.
“This is a derby and they are playing at home with their supporters.”
Enjoy the battle, says Emery
Emery has done a wonderful job at Villa since moving to the West Midlands in October 2022 and is relishing the situation his team find themselves in.
“We must enjoy what we are doing,” he said. “Each day is something we must enjoy, practice, and focus on the next match. We are going to fight day by day, next week, next month. It’s an exciting moment.
“We are so motivated. We have played 27 matches and now that we are performing, showing our energy, I am so motivated for the next match tomorrow and the next matches after tomorrow.”
