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| Aston Villa’s English striker #11 Ollie Watkins celebrates scoring his team second goal during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on November 26, 2023. (Photo by Ben Stansall / AFP) |
Emery's side have moved within two points of leaders Liverpool after statement victories over Manchester City and Arsenal in their last two league games.
Unai Emery insists Aston Villa cannot afford to start
dreaming of a Premier League title challenge despite their “amazing” rise to
third place.
Emery’s side have moved within two points of leaders
Liverpool after statement victories over Manchester City and Arsenal in their
last two league games.
Villa also advanced to the last 16 of the Europa Conference
League on Thursday after finishing top of Group E.
But, while fans are beginning to anticipate Villa pushing
for their first English title since 1981, Emery urged his players to keep their
feet firmly on the ground.
“I will speak about it (the title race) when we are facing
matchday 30, 32 and in case we will be there maybe I can set this objective in
my mind, with the players and with the club,” Emery told reporters ahead of
Sunday’s trip to Brentford.
“But now, we are third and it’s amazing. We are there
because we are deserving it. It’s been very difficult and the next challenge is
on Sunday against Brentford.
“Against teams like Brentford, more or less, we are having
more problems to get a good performance and to face them imposing our game
plan.
“Why? Because the Premier League is very difficult.
Wolverhampton is very difficult. Nottingham (Forest) is very difficult.
Bournemouth is very difficult. Sunday is very difficult.”
Brentford have lost four of their last five league games but
Emery is taking nothing for granted against a side who finished just two points
behind Villa last season.
“They were close to us last year and they were challenging
us to play in Conference League. We did it, and now they are struggling a
little bit with injured players, important players, but they are competitive,”
Emery said.
“We are going to face them on Sunday trying to be more
competitive than them, better than we did in Bournemouth, trying to be
successful.”
AFP