Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has raised eyebrows by insisting he was 'very happy' with his side's 2-2 draw against relegated Burnley on Sunday. The Spanish boss launched a passionate defence of his squad at Turf Moor, remaining steadfastly positive even as their pursuit of Champions League qualification hit a significant roadblock.
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has raised eyebrows by insisting he was "very happy" with his side's 2-2 draw against relegated Burnley on Sunday. The Spanish boss launched a passionate defence of his squad at Turf Moor, remaining steadfastly positive even as their pursuit of Champions League qualification hit a significant roadblock.
Despite seeing his side held to a 2-2 draw by a Burnley team already condemned to the Championship and playing without a permanent manager, Emery refused to be critical. The Clarets took a shock lead through Jaidon Anthony. Ross Barkley and Ollie Watkins turned the game around, only for Zian Flemming to snatch a point.
This means that Villa have taken just one point from their last three league outings, leaving their Champions League aspirations hanging in the balance after reaching the Europa League final on Thursday following a 4-1 aggregate victory over Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals. Emery launched a fierce defence of his players, stating: "I’m very, very happy, and with the result as well, very happy. It’s been difficult to be fifth in the league until game 36, very difficult.
And it’s been very difficult to be in the top five for Liverpool, they are with us, with the same points. For Bournemouth behind us and Brighton, they are fighting teams and they are being fantastic. It’s fantastic to be where we are. Today the point is not enough, I know it’s not enough, but I know the difficulty to achieve three points here.
But how we compete, how the players show with their wishes to win, I am so, so proud of them. And, of course, after on Thursday we achieved the final in the Europa League, how we are doing in both competitions. To play in Europe and to play in the Premier League in the top positions is very difficult. We are doing it and the players are doing a huge effort.
Of course, the second part of the season we are struggling, we are not achieving the points like the first part of the season.
"Interim Burnley boss Michael Jackson was pleased with the spirited display, which ended a run of five straight losses. Addressing the sparse home crowd, Jackson said: "I totally understand that. It costs money to come to football games and everything around it, the times that we live in. I’ve got no problem with that.
The fans that were here were really good and got behind the team today. If more of them can come, then brilliant.
" For Villa, the primary concern remains squad fitness, with Emery noting: "Some of them are tired but they want to play, and they are ready. Today it was very important as well not to have injured players.
"Getty Images SportAston Villa face a daunting schedule to secure Champions League football. Tied on 59 points with fourth-placed Liverpool and just four points ahead of Bournemouth, they host the Reds next. Emery's men then battle Freiburg in the Europa League final on May 20, before a gruelling season finale away to Manchester City.
Please follow us on Google to support us Burnley U. Emery Premier League Burnley Vs Aston Villa
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Glasgow Comedian and Aston Villa Star Team Up for BBC Documentary Exploring Football's MeaningComedian Kevin Bridges and Aston Villa star John McGinn join forces for an upcoming BBC documentary airing ahead of the World Cup. The documentary, exploring the contemporary state of football and its cultural significance, will examine the role the game plays today and how it has evolved over time.
Read more »
Burnley vs Aston Villa: Premier League preview, team news, stats & head-to-headFollow live text commentary, score updates and match stats from Burnley vs Aston Villa in the Premier League
Read more »
Omar Marmoush: Aston Villa set sights on deal to sign ‘big-money’ Man City starThe inside track on the football stories that matter
Read more »
Unai Emery to stay at Aston Villa: Jose Mourinho's potential Real Madrid return to keep pressure offJose Mourinho has been linked with a sensational return to the Bernabeu this summer, with Florentino Perez keen on a reunion when Alvaro Arbeloa steps aside. However, another option is still being considered for the role as Benfica are not keen to lose their manager, with Villa among those facing the same concerns.As it stands right now, seems like Mourinho is in the box seat for a return to Real Madrid from Benfica. Unai Emery is happy at Aston Villa, and Aston Villa are very happy with him as well. Besides Mourinho and Emery, other targets are on the long list of candidates for the Real Madrid job as Spain's league ends.
Read more »