‘The next objective’ - Unai Emery sends Newcastle United message as Aston Villa dumped

A valiant Villa performance saw the Spaniard’s side fight back from two goals down to win 3-2 on the day. However, a 3-1 loss from the first leg meant PSG edged through on aggregate.

The slenderest of margins means fans can point to a preventable 92nd-minute goal conceded a week ago as a possible cause for their exit. Despite the setback, Villa earned plaudits for their first adventure among Europe’s elite since 1983.

Attention has now turned to qualification for next season but Emery and Co also have a Wembley semi-final against Crystal Palace on April 26. Aston Villa supporters are beginning to believe that their 29-year wait without a trophy could come to an end with an FA Cup triumph next month.

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Competing on several fronts is a goal Villa and Newcastle share, with the two going head-to-head in the Champions League race on Saturday. The Magpies must overcome Crystal Palace at St James’ Park tonight but one eye is already on that mammoth clash in the Midlands.

Speaking to reporters following Villa’s exit to PSG, Emery name-checked Newcastle as an equally imposing challenge. He also highlighted regaining their seat at UEFA’s top table as “the next challenge” before a possible FA Cup win

"We are in a process and the process we are doing here is the highest level we have achieved,” Emery said. “In the Premier League, we are playing against teams with the same level as PSG. Next Saturday Newcastle and then Man City.

"I am so proud. I am so happy and really confident about how we are doing this way, increasing our standards and demands. We are finishing here in the quarter-final and, hopefully, we can play in the Champions League quickly. This is the next objective we have. Also play in the FA Cup for a trophy.

“Every player here is here because they deserve to be here and to play facing matches like today, trying to get our ambitions in every competition we are playing and trying to be consistent. This is the challenge.

"I want the players with the same challenge they have, I want the club with the same challenge they have. This is to try to be consistent and try to get this level with the players we have - or add more quality players in case we need it. But of course, with the players we have today and for the rest of the season, I am so confident of achieving our objective, working hard until the last match we will face."

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