Unai Emery Acknowledges Need For Improvement After Aston Villa's Champions League Ambitions Boosted By Victory

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Aston Villa's aspirations for the Champions League remain alive following a 2-0 triumph over Tottenham. Goals from Ezri Konsa and Boubacar Kamara propelled Villa into the Premier League's top five, overtaking Manchester City by a point. However, to secure a Champions League spot, they must defeat Manchester United in their final match and rely on favourable results elsewhere.

Villa has been in remarkable form, securing nine wins in their last 11 league matches. They have accumulated 24 points since March, more than any other team in the division. Despite this success, manager Unai Emery emphasised that there is still work to be done. "We won, but there is still work to do to have a chance to play in the Champions League," Emery stated.

Konsa expressed the team's determination to compete again in Europe's elite club competition next season. He highlighted how his goal resulted from meticulous preparation during training sessions. "We worked on that specific corner, and it came off," Konsa said. He stressed the importance of scoring early in the second half to energise the fans.

Emery acknowledged the challenges faced during the match against Spurs and stressed maintaining consistency and focus. "We were speaking at half-time about the difficulties we were facing," he noted. The team must keep inconsistencies down as they aim for Champions League qualification.

Konsa also mentioned Tottenham's upcoming Europa League final against Manchester United, acknowledging their need to stay focused despite external distractions. "We knew today was a must-win," he remarked. The players are eager for another taste of Champions League football after experiencing it this season.

The victory over Tottenham was celebrated with Villa supporters, who played a crucial role in motivating the team throughout the season. Emery expressed his happiness with closing out their home campaign positively: "Today, we closed out our season here with our supporters trying to transmit our energy."

As Villa prepares for their final game against Manchester United, they remain hopeful yet aware of their reliance on other results. Konsa reiterated that while it's not entirely in their hands, they will give their all: "It's not in our hands as yet, but we'll do all we can."