Aston Villa: Unai Emery prediction emerges ahead of crunch European clash against Lille
Bryan King believes Unai Emery will be fully focused on lifting the UEFA Europa Conference League with Aston Villa, despite the club’s position in the Premier League.
The ex-Villa scout believes Emery will treat the Conference League with the same level of respect as the Premier League between now and the end of the season.
Villa will host Ligue 1 outfit Lille in the first leg of their Conference League quarter-final on Thursday (11 April), with a trip to the Emirates to take on Arsenal in the Premier League to follow on Sunday (14 April).
King – speaking exclusively to Villa News – believes all focus will be on Lille, despite a tricky league fixture on the horizon.
“Villa aren’t going to win the Premier League, and they’re in a pretty secure position in the top five,” said King.
“Emery will want to get as far as possible in the Conference League because he has a track record of success in Europe, having lifted the Europa League on multiple occasions with Sevilla.
“He will want to win the tournament and he will want to finish as high up in the Premier League as possible.”
Unai Emery will ensure Aston Villa are fully focused on the UEFA Europa Conference League
With the prospect of playing UEFA Champions League football next season a real possibility, some Villa supporters might not be so interested in the Conference League.
Finishing in the top five of the Premier League could offer them a route into Europe’s premier competition, but there is no guarantee, and Villa would likely feel far more comfortable qualifying for the Champions League the old-fashioned way.
However, Tottenham currently occupy fourth spot, and with the North London side only playing Premier League football between now and the end of the season that could hand them a real advantage.
Villa might view the Conference League as a distraction, but Emery will view it as a chance to lift some European silverware at Villa Park.
The Spaniard knows what it takes to win these tournaments, and he will be keen to do that once again, regardless of their Premier League exploits.
In other Aston Villa news, one player has been mooted with a move away from Villa Park after a Fabrizio Romano update.
For more Aston Villa news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.