Unai Emery disappointment emerges after events at Aston Villa
Aston Villa supporters enjoyed the ride in the Champions League, and will reflect on this season’s return to Europe’s top table with poignant emotions.
The Villans were eked out by Unai Emery’s former side Paris Saint-Germain, who will try to complete a hat-trick of English scalps when they take on another former acquaintance Mikel Arteta and Arsenal in the semi-finals.
Emery’s Villa still have plenty to fight for, with a massive opportunity on the cards against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-final (26 April), the winner returning to Wembley to face Manchester City or Nottingham Forest to lift the trophy.
The fight to rejoin the Champions League next season is very much on in the Premier League, too, with Villa next facing Newcastle United and City in two potentially decisive fixtures.
Emery sack talk touched on by expert – ‘disappointment’
Aston Villa supporters love Emery. The Spaniard has been the perfect head coach at the right time as Villa invest further and aim the highest they have done in many years.
He did attract some criticism on Tuesday night (15 April), however, as Villa were just a goal short despite an almost-remarkable comeback against a machine of a PSG side.
European football commentator and analysis expert Ian Darke, speaking exclusively to Villa News, rubbished the idea of any pressure on Emery for the foreseeable future, regardless of how the story of the campaign ends at Villa Park.
Darke conceded there would be an air of “disappointment” should Villa come up short in both the Premier League and FA Cup, but Emery is still clearly progressing an exciting team.
“I don’t think there’d be criticism for Emery if they don’t win a trophy, because he’s helped them to a tremendous season,” he said.
“There would be a slight sense of disappointment if they had nothing to show for what they’ve done this season.
“But that wouldn’t translate to any pressure at all on the manager. They’ve got a manager they’ll want to keep long-term.”
Aston Villa have two massive league games before Wembley
Aston Villa were accused of suffering European “hangovers” on following Premier League weekends before the turn of the year, and they have to find a way to maintain their impressive standards.
Newcastle and Man City provide major league tests which are surely bound to either make or break Villa’s hunt for the top five.
| POS | Premier League table 2024-25 | PLD | PTS | GD |
| 3 | Newcastle United | 32 | 59 | +21 |
| 4 | Nottingham Forest | 32 | 57 | +13 |
| 5 | Manchester City | 32 | 55 | +20 |
| 6 | Chelsea | 32 | 54 | +17 |
| 7 | ASTON VILLA | 32 | 54 | +3 |
| 8 | Bournemouth | 32 | 48 | +12 |
Then comes Wembley. The FA Cup has not always been fruitful for the Villans, who even in their last final a decade ago were hammered 4-0 under the arch by Arsenal.
This version of Villa, however, are in far better shape – and in far more advanced hands on the touchline.