Unai Emery's 'Never Give Up' Rallying Cry as Villa Chase Arsenal and Man City
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has issued a defiant rallying cry to his players, urging them to never give up as they aim to close the gap on Premier League leaders Arsenal and Manchester City. Emery insists he is not surprised by Villa's current third-place position with 12 matches remaining this season, despite the club often flying under the radar in the title race.
Villa's Strong Position and Upcoming Challenges
Villa could move to within just five points of Arsenal if they secure a victory against Leeds United this Saturday afternoon. This opportunity comes even though the team has managed only two wins in their last six league matches. With an eight-point cushion inside the top five, Villa's rivals have struggled to capitalize on recent home defeats to Everton and Brentford.
Following a late win over Brighton last week, Villa are now targeting successive home league wins for the first time since their impressive 11-match home winning streak was halted by Everton in January. Few expected Villa to be in contention so close to the league summit at this stage, but Emery was among the believers.
Emery's Confidence and Focus
"To be there is a surprise? To be there on game 27? Not for me. Yes [for everyone else]. I am so happy to be there now – so proud," Emery stated. He emphasized the challenge ahead, noting that seven teams are contending in front of Villa, and the goal is to maintain their position and continue winning matches.
Emery's immediate focus is firmly on the upcoming match against Leeds. "Leeds is my focus and my obsession. To prepare my players and the difficulties we are going to face. To try to face them, beating them collectively, mentally, individually, with the supporters at Villa Park. They will push us. Playing football with our personality for 90 minutes, that is my obsession," he explained.
The Premier League's Demanding Nature
Reflecting on the league's competitiveness, Emery highlighted the consistency required at this level. "The Premier League is very difficult; to be consistent at this level is the objective. We demand ourselves to get better," he said. He praised Arsenal's performance, describing them as "fantastic, brilliant, dominating," even in draws like the one at Wolves.
Emery also acknowledged Manchester City's resilience, noting their ability to bounce back from losses with a strong mentality over 38 matches. He stressed the importance of maintaining focus and avoiding complacency. "You should never relax and never give up. If your level is here, you should try for the next level," he asserted, emphasizing continuous improvement.
Villa's Growth and Future Aspirations
Emery pointed to Villa's progress over the past three years, with players improving and growing significantly. However, he noted that top teams like Arsenal and Manchester City are also evolving. "Arsenal are improving players and growing up a lot. Each year they are closer to winning the Premier League title. City, they are being consistent all the time," he observed.
He concluded with a determined outlook for Villa: "We are behind them, trying to be competitive, always trying to break through the highest level we have." This rallying cry underscores Emery's commitment to pushing Villa to new heights as they navigate the final stretch of the season.
