Unai Emery has warned Tottenham that Villa are fully motivated to win on Sunday — and has moved on from Thursday’s VAR controversy.
- Villa can mathematically confirm Champions League qualification by beating Spurs, if results go their way
- Emery insisted the Forest defeat is “done”. Full focus now on Sunday’s 7pm kick-off
- Villa sit fifth on 58 points, level with Liverpool and eight clear of Brighton in sixth
- The Spanish manager confirmed he will not rotate for the Europa League second leg
VAR is done. Sunday is everything
Unai Emery delivered a clear and decisive message to his squad and to Tottenham in equal measure on Saturday.
The fallout from Thursday’s 1-0 defeat at the City Ground including the furious VAR controversy surrounding Elliot Anderson’s challenge on Ollie Watkins, has been explicitly parked. Sunday is the only focus.
“Everything that happened on Thursday is done, but it’s the first part of two legs we’re going to play,” Emery stated. “We’re analysing it but we’re going to take a break before analysing the second leg at home next week. Everything that happened about the VAR issues I spoke about in the press conference, that is done.“
That deliberate and public act of moving on reflects a manager who understands that dwelling on controversy costs points. Sunday demands full attention.
Champions League this weekend if results align
The Premier League table heading into Sunday’s 7pm kick-off tells a compelling story. Villa sit fifth on 58 points, level with Liverpool on points but separated by goal difference, and eight clear of Brighton in sixth.
A victory over Tottenham, combined with Brighton failing to win at Newcastle on Saturday and Bournemouth dropping points against Crystal Palace on Sunday, would mathematically confirm Champions League football for next season.
Emery was characteristically direct about where his focus lies. “On Thursday the priority was Forest in the Europa League. Now it’s a different competition and the priority is the Premier League — being consistent and demanding through it to achieve our huge challenge to be in the Champions League again.”
A clarity of purpose by switching between competitions without sentiment or distraction that is a hallmark of his management at its very best.
No rotations. Emery demands maximum effort
Tottenham supporters may have hoped that the looming Europa League second leg against Forest on Thursday 7 May would prompt Emery to rotate his squad on Sunday.
The Villa manager dismissed that notion entirely, insisting the team needs points and cannot afford complacency regardless of what lies ahead.
“Each match is very, very important in the Premier League. We are completely focusing on it as a priority,” he stated firmly.
His honest assessment of the broader picture was equally revealing.
“There are some teams behind us performing well, Brighton and Chelsea with their capacity to win a lot of matches. We must focus on our own matches and try to get points.“
| Premier League Table (Top 5) | Played | Points | GD |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester United | 34 | 61 | +14 |
| Liverpool | 34 | 58 | +13 |
| Aston Villa | 34 | 58 | +5 |
| Brighton | 34 | 50 | +9 |
| Bournemouth | 34 | 49 | 0 |
The opportunity is right there
Eight points clear of Brighton. Level with Liverpool.
A wounded Tottenham side missing ten first-team players. Sunday evening at Villa Park is an extraordinary opportunity to deliver a defining moment in the Champions League qualification race.
Emery is positive, focused, and motivated. Now Villa must deliver on the pitch.
