‘Very difficult’ - Unai Emery name-checks Newcastle United as Aston Villa left stunned
Aston Villa are sixth in the Premier League but just two points above 12th-placed Newcastle United.
That is despite the Midlands club sitting two points above Eddie Howe’s men in the Premier League. Villa were stunned 2-1 by Nottingham Forest despite leading until the 87th minute.
Quick-fire strikes from Nikola Milenkovic and Anthony Elanga turned the game on its head and fired Forest into the Champions League spots. As for Villa, they sit sixth but just two points ahead of Newcastle in 12th.
One run of form from a club sitting in the chasing pack could inspire a European run, with Forest hoping to become this year’s surprise package. The Magpies and Villa cracked the top four in recent years but are being frustrated by FFP/PSR restrictions.
Emery referenced restrictions when admitting how “difficult” it will be to finish above Newcastle, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United. He told Sky Sports: "Two years ago, we arrived here. We were progressing. Chelsea and some teams were behind us.
“Last year we got to fourth in the table and another three teams competed more than us like Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester United. Even Newcastle were behind us, but to fight and be in front of them every year is very difficult. Why?
“Because they have more capacity to be in front of us with everything, but we want to be there and we want to try to reduce the distance. We reduced the distance last year because we were in front of them. But this year, again, we have to reduce the distance they have with us."