Aston Villa boss Unai Emery says the Premier League remains his side’s priority this season.
Villa put one foot into the quarter-finals of the Champions League with a 3-1 first-leg win against Club Brugge on Tuesday and they meet Championship side Preston in the last eight of the FA Cup at the end of the month.
Their league form has been highly inconsistent, yet they remain on the coattails of the clubs chasing a top-five finish, which looks certain to bring Champions League qualification.
The Boss spoke to the media earlier this afternoon where he provided the latest team news ahead of our trip to Brentford tomorrow ⬇️
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) March 7, 2025
And Emery insists earning a European spot through the league remains the top priority.
“It’s our challenge to compete and get our objective,” he told a press conference ahead of Saturday night’s visit to Brentford.
“The Premier League is the most important for us, always, the first day I was sending the same message, and until the last day in the Premier League, the message is the same.
“Through the Premier League, at the beginning, is our objective to get our target in the season.
“It’s our challenge. Our challenge is to compete in different competitions, competing like we need.
This weekend's Premier League schedule 🤩
Which match are you most excited for? pic.twitter.com/VdlMeEh1tV
— Premier League (@premierleague) March 7, 2025
“Every match we are facing, our challenge at the beginning is to try to compete, and to try to get our performances collectively and individually.”
Villa have had a brutal schedule, playing six matches in 18 days, and it does not stop with Saturday’s visit to the Bees preceding the second leg against Brugge.
They can welcome back Andres Garcia and Donyell Malen in west London after the pair were ineligible for the Champions League.
Amadou Onana is getting closer to a return from a hamstring injury but Ross Barkley remains out with a knee issue.
“Progressively, we are adding the players who have been injured,” said Emery. “They are getting close to playing more minutes.
“We anticipated (Boubacar) Kamara’s comeback because we needed him, but we were trying to protect him, not in the starting XI and playing minutes.
“With Pau Torres the same, (Matty) Cash the same, protecting them.
“But, of course, they played some minutes – Kamara and Cash – and they are closer to playing more.
“But we have to be intelligent with every player. With Pau Torres, the same.
“Barkley is out, not available for tomorrow, Onana is starting to work with the team and is close to being with us as well.
“Of course, we will need those players recovering after they’re injured and, hopefully, trying to keep being consistently better and not getting injured.”
