Unai Emery insists Aston Villa are not getting carried away with talk of a top-four finish, even after Sunday’s 2-1 win over Leeds United pushed them up to fourth in the table.
The Villans moved into four position in the English Premier League standings with their sixth win in their last seven league games.
Despite a poor opening to the season, when they went five games without a win and didn’t find the net until match-day five, the team has picked up form and climbed back into the European places.
Villa qualified for the UEFA Champions League in the 2024-25 season, but could only settle for an Europa League spot ahead of this season.
We are not contenders. We are not contenders. [That] is the reality.
“But the last year we were there, and this year it’s our ambition to be there as well.
Lukas Nmecha opened the scoring early for Leeds United, who went into the break with a one-goal advantage.
Morgan Rogers pulled one back for Villa after the break, turning home from Donyell Malen cross.
The England international then doubled his tally in the 75th minute with a spectacular free-kick to complete the comeback for the visitors.
Leeds United were denied an instant equalizer as the Video Assistant Referee ruled out a Dan James effort, which had struck Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the hand before crossing the line.
“Today we got it, but still a lot of matches to play and, of course, still the difficulties we are going to face in the Premier League, and today is an example.
“But, of course, hopefully we can show our fight as we did in the last years, this year as well.
Aston Villa moved up to fourth on 21 points and are back in action against Young Boys in the Europa League on Thursday.
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