Unai Emery has challenged his Aston Villa squad to aim for third place in the Premier League, insisting there is more to play for than just Champions League qualification in the final weeks of the season.
Emery sets ambitious target for Villa
With five games remaining, Villa have an excellent opportunity to secure a top-five finish and return to UEFA's elite club competition. However, ahead of matches against Fulham, Tottenham, and Burnley, Emery has emphasised that finishing third should be a key objective.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Emery said: "Our consistency is giving us the opportunity to be in front of other teams, but there are still matches to play and points to play for. We have our own experiences in the Premier League, and we must be consistent until the last day, respecting the teams who are behind us."
"We can extend our objective to be in the top five because now we are fourth, with Manchester United in third. Why are we not challenging as well to be third in the league?" he added.
Emery's message to the players
"I came here three and a half years ago and I haven't achieved this position. I'm speaking with the players and we must be demanding to try to get the best position in the table. It's realistic in the position we're in. Tomorrow is a huge challenge in Fulham to try and get three points and still be fighting for third position."
Emery reflected on the season's journey, noting: "When we started the season not winning for five matches, our objective was to try to escape the bottom. In December and January, with only a few points difference to Manchester City and Arsenal, we were dreaming of keeping the momentum to be contenders for third, second, or even first."
"Now, Manchester City and Arsenal kept their consistency longer and stronger than us. We were again getting our position in the table more or less in the top five, but there were teams behind us and we needed to check it," he explained.
"Tomorrow is day 34 and how we are finishing tomorrow, we are going to be in a position that is clearer than today and the last two months. We are motivated, excited, and happy, but still there are matches to play and points to play for. Consistency is the only way we can achieve our objective."
