Aston Villa's recent struggles in the Premier League have not been attributed to their Champions League commitments, according to John McGinn. Despite a strong start in Europe's top club competition, Villa has failed to maintain momentum. Their 3-0 loss to Chelsea marked eight games without a win across all competitions, dropping them to 12th in the league standings.McGinn is confident that European matches haven't hindered their performance. "I'm not sure if it can be an excuse because we had a more difficult turnaround last season," he stated. He emphasised that the Thursday to Sunday schedule of Conference League games was more challenging. However, he stressed that they do not want to use this as an excuse.The team captain believes they possess the quality needed to compete and achieve positive results. He highlighted the importance of maintaining unity during tough times and taking responsibility for their current form. McGinn remains optimistic about achieving something special this season, with upcoming matches providing opportunities for improvement.Unai Emery agrees that Aston Villa must improve but encourages persistence. Reflecting on the Chelsea match, he acknowledged their opponents' confidence and performance. "Today, Chelsea were better than us," Emery admitted. He noted that while Villa had chances, they failed to capitalise on them.Emery expressed full belief in their work and enjoyment of the Champions League experience. He acknowledged their league position is below expectations but remains hopeful about regaining confidence and building the team further. Emery urged individual players to strive for better performances.

Villa's next fixtures provide a chance to reverse their fortunes quickly. With games scheduled on Wednesday and Saturday, McGinn stresses the need for swift improvement. The team aims to return to the high standards set in previous seasons and remain competitive in both domestic and European competitions.Despite recent setbacks, there is determination within Aston Villa to overcome challenges and achieve success this season. Both McGinn and Emery are committed to turning things around by focusing on teamwork and resilience in upcoming matches.