Aston Villa boss Unai Emery priorities Premier League over Euro progress with stars set to be rested for Legia Warsaw clash

Unai Emery insists the Premier League remains Aston Villa’s priority as he prepares to rotate his starting XI for Thursday’s meeting with Legia Warsaw.

If Villa beat the Polish club by at least a two-goal margin, they will be confirmed Group E winners. That would mean a bye to the last 16 and avoiding the round of 32, which would bring two additional fixtures.

Yet Emery’s focus remains the league, with many at Villa believing they have a strong chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.

With up to five places available to English clubs for the 2024-25 competition, fourth-placed Villa will leave nothing to chance on the domestic front.

‘The most important competition for us is the Premier League,’ said Emery. 

‘The European positions for us are very difficult for us to get this season, but we are now in. We have to be demanding in how we face each match.’

Emery joined Villa a little more than a year ago and has transformed the first team. When he arrived, he quickly led Villa away from relegation trouble and they finished seventh to secure European football.

A fine start to this season means Villa have only two points fewer than leaders Arsenal – Emery’s former club – who Villa face on December 9. 

Three days earlier, they take on Manchester City at Villa Park.

Emery added: ‘Hopefully I can stay here for a long time because I think we have a really good challenge here. It was my time to return to the Premier League and I don’t want to stop while I am full of energy and passion for my work.’