Losing To Manchester City Makes Aston Villa Reflect

Unai Emery is still not extinguished bringing Aston Villa to the Champions League next season and winning trophies this season (Instagram/@avfcofficial).

JAKARTA - While Pep Guardiola collaborated emotionally to welcome Matheus Nunes' winning goal in injury time, Unai Emery covered his face with both hands.

The victory is very important for The Citizens to secure tickets to the Champions League next season. As for The Villans, winning the Champions League qualification is very steep with four Premier League games remaining.

However, Emery did not want to get lost in the disappointment. There is still a chance to enter the top five of the league, with a difference of two points from Newcastle United who are in third place - the last ticket to the Champions League.

In addition to tickets to the Champions League, Emery must also reflect on what might happen this season.

He had to divide the focus, immediately prepare his players ahead of the FA Cup semifinal against Crystal Palace at Wembley on Saturday, April 26, 2025.

Villa supporters have enjoyed their Champions League campaign and major European nights against Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain and want to experience it again next season.

However, the FA Cup offers the opportunity to win its first domestic trophy since 1996. They have not won the FA Cup since 1957.

With Manchester City going against Nottingham Forest in the second semifinal on Sunday, April 27, 2025, it is possible Guardiola and Emery will meet again in the final on May 17, 2025.

"We have to accept this defeat. Now, our minds are changing so quickly. We will postpone this competition until Saturday, April 26, 2025, before fighting Fulham (May 3, 2025)."

"We are now focusing on Crystal Palace in the FA Cup. Overall, I am proud of what we are doing. This is an important moment in the Premier League."

"Today we lost, but there are still points to play. We will have the opportunity to enter the Champions League," Emery said.

In fact, Aston Villa's distance from the team above is still very tight. Except for Liverpool and Arsenal, they can still compete for three tickets to the Champions League.

Their difference with Manchester City, which is in third place, is only four points. Meanwhile, the distance with Nottingham Forest and Newcastle is only three and two points.