Emery wants Aston Villa back in the Champions League next season after PSG setback
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is targeting a swift return to the Champions League after their gutsy display against Paris Saint-Germain last night.
Trailing 3-1 from the first leg of their quarter-final, the tie looked to be over when goals from Achraf Hakimi and Nuno Mendes put PSG 2-0 up on the night.
But Villa roared back with efforts from Youri Tielemans, John McGinn and Ezri Konsa putting them in front and within one goal of forcing extra-time.
They had their chances but could not find a way past PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
An heroic fight back from Aston Villa, but it wasn’t to be against PSG… 😔
🎥 All the key moments here! pic.twitter.com/6OLdvEFICk
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) April 15, 2025
Focus turns to Premier League
It ended a remarkable run in the competition for Villa, who must now retrain their focus on domestic matters. They are seventh in the Premier League but just a point adrift of Manchester City in fifth.
Emery said: “It is now most important to get Europe again. The most important competition is the Champions League. The challenge we have for the last six matches is to try and get Europe and the Champions League.
“The players showed their capacity to compete at this level. Hopefully we can come back quickly to play in the Champions League. This is our objective and to play in the FA Cup as well for a trophy.”
Two big games coming up for Villa
They face fellow European contenders Newcastle and Manchester City in their next two games and Emery acknowledged the importance of forgetting the PSG disappointment quickly.
He added: “I’m demanding in how we can get better and better in the level we faced today and the level we faced in the Champions League. Now, in the Premier League we’re going to face the same level in Newcastle.
“Newcastle and Manchester City next week, this is really fantastic because our best test is against those teams and how we are responding, and how as well the supporters are enjoying.
“I think this is the process. We are building the team, a new structure and we are increasing our demands and standards. I want to get there with all the supporters of Aston Villa, the workers, the owners, the players and the coaches.”
