Unai Emery confident Aston Villa can mount a top six challenge
- Planet Sport writer
- 5 April 2023
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery believes his side are candidates for a top-six finish in the Premier League after their 2-1 win over Leicester City.
The Foxes had looked like earning a point with 10 men after Harvey Barnes' brilliant goal before half-time cancelled out Ollie Watkins' opener, but Bertrand Traore's 87th-minute goal earned Villa the three points.
A fifth win from six games gives Villa a real chance of qualifying for Europe as Emery continues to surpass expectations.
"First we have to be consistent now in the top 10," the Spaniard said.
"Now we can add another step of thinking to be a candidate to be in the European position but it is going to be difficult because Brighton, Brentford, they are playing very well. We are now with them.
"Chelsea and Liverpool have to be in Europe next year, they will fight for it, but we can have ambition and motivation to try to be a candidate.
"We have to add a new target in the next matches because we can be candidates, we are going to be very demanding and don't relax or don't stop."
Emery also revealed a meeting with Watkins early in his reign might be behind the striker's incredible run of form, after the striker netted his eighth goal in the last 10 games to celebrate 100 Premier League appearances in style.
The 27-year-old is loving life under the Spaniard, scoring 10 goals in 17 games since Emery's appointment.
"I like to take challenges, always, with my striker, with my coaching. Because I like to be offensive and to be a winner," Emery said.
"The striker is very important to me. I spoke with [Watkins] at the beginning about the relationship here. I told him that I want the best of you and the way he is doing; practicing, being humble to improve. This is the way.
"Then, he has a big career to do in his future. It's very important as well to try and speak about other players because he is not going to score if his team-mates aren't helping him to do it.
"For us, Ollie Watkins is very important. He's not only scoring but his commitment every day, trying to add more work, watching his clips.
"He's the first defence in our idea, trying to be consistent. He's working very well with the high pressing. He's trying to fight with the defenders. He's scoring and he's adding the best quality as a striker - the goal."
