Unai Emery has made it clear: there will be no distractions for Aston Villa as they prepare for a crucial clash with Tottenham Hotspur—despite a high-stakes European showdown looming.
Villa head into Sunday’s Premier League fixture with their Champions League ambitions firmly in focus. While a Europa League semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest is just days away, Emery insists his squad’s attention is locked on securing vital league points.
The Midlands side suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat to Forest in the first leg, leaving them with work to do at Villa Park next week. However, Emery has drawn a clear line between domestic priorities and European ambitions.
Speaking ahead of the Tottenham encounter, the Villa boss emphasized that everything from the Forest loss—VAR controversies included—is now in the past. His message is simple: the Premier League comes first.
Villa’s push for a top-five finish remains alive, and a win against Spurs could significantly strengthen their position. With rivals like Brighton and Chelsea still chasing, every point is critical in the race for Champions League qualification.
Emery acknowledged the unpredictability of the run-in but expressed confidence in his team’s consistency. He pointed to recent performances as evidence that Villa are capable of delivering when it matters most, even as pressure intensifies.
The Spaniard also highlighted the importance of maintaining focus during this decisive stage of the season. With just a handful of games remaining, Villa cannot afford to lose concentration—especially against a Tottenham side with quality and motivation of their own.
While the Europa League offers a potential route to silverware and glory, Emery is determined not to let it derail their league objectives. For now, all eyes are on Spurs, with the bigger European picture temporarily set aside.
As the season reaches its climax, Villa find themselves balancing ambition on two fronts. But if Emery’s words are anything to go by, their immediate mission is clear: handle business in the Premier League—then return to Europe with everything still to play for.
