Unai Emery Says Aston Villa Not Top Five Premier League Contenders

Unai Emery bizarrely claimed Aston Villa are not contenders for a top-five Premier League finish, after they missed the chance to go second by losing 1-0 to Everton. Following Arsenal’s goalless draw with Nottingham Forest on Saturday, Villa knew a victory would take them within just four points of the summit, also leapfrogging Manchester City, but they instead fell to a frustrating defeat. Thierno Barry cleverly lobbed the stranded Emiliano Martinez having pounced upon the rebound of Dwight McNeil’s saved attempt in the 59th minute, after the Toffees had struck the post through Merlin Rohl and had a goal from Jake O’Brien disallowed. Villa had won each of their last 11 home games across all competitions, while this was their first Premier League loss to Everton since March 2016 – 13 matches ago (previously nine wins, four draws). Villa’s 18 shots were their most without scoring in a Premier League game since October 2022 against Chelsea (also 18), and they won the expected goals (xG) battle by 1.36 to 0.56. Emery’s side remain third in the table, level on points with second-placed City and seven adrift of the leaders, but the Spaniard is pessimistic about their prospects. “We are not a contender to be in the top five,” he said in an interview with Sky Sports. “We are still not contenders. “There are other teams with more potential than us.” Villa lost captain John McGinn to injury in the 18th minute, with the Scotland international being replaced by Evann Guessand, who hit the crossbar with a looping header soon afterwards. Asked about McGinn’s condition, Emery added: “I don’t know, it’s his knee. Of course, when players are getting injured, it is not good. “It is football, and we have to accept it. It is another opportunity for other players to play.”