Ahead of Aston Villa's matchup with Manchester United, Unai Emery is not ruling out a run at the Champions League for the team.
Villa has seen a remarkable turnaround under Emery in recent weeks, and as a result, they are currently very much in the running for a European spot. The Midlands club is now in sixth place, six points behind the top four but with two fewer games played. They are one point ahead of Liverpool in terms of finishing in the top six, having played one more game.
However, it appears Emery is not completely ruling out pulling off a surprise top four finish before playing the team presently holding the fourth slot this weekend in United, even if Europa League football is a far more realistic expectation at this juncture.
"The last step is to keep in the European places,” said the Spaniard during his press conference. “We escaped the bottom, we got top 10 and now the European places is the last step but it is more difficult."
"There’s still five matches to play for us, but not for Liverpool, Brighton, Manchester United. We have to face the match on Sunday enjoying this opportunity we have in front of us. Of course, Europe could be Champions League, Europa League or Europa Conference League. Champions League is very, very difficult, maybe impossible. Europa League and Conference League could be, but as well it’s going to be very difficult.”
Emery is recognized for his success in the Europa League, and his most recent triumph there came at United's expense when he and Villarreal defeated the Red Devils in the final almost two years ago. Prior to joining Villa during this season, Emery had since made it all the way to the semifinals of the Champions League with the Yellow Submarine.
Unai Emery confirmed that four of Aston Villa players including Philipe Coutinho are close to returning too the team but are certainly not available for the trip to Old Trafford.
"[Matty] Cash is close but I think not for Sunday. [Philippe] Coutinho is close but not for Sunday. Leon Bailey as well is close. [Boubacar] Kamara is close. Maybe they can join training with us next week."
Unai Emery is wary of his side's visit to Old Trafford on Sunday as he anticipates a difficult game.
"Very difficult match and of course they have very good players individually and collectively. This year, they are in the top four like usually Manchester United have to do, and they also won the Carabao Cup and are going to play the FA Cup final. It is a very good season for them. Their only defeat was to leave the Europa League."
However, he is relishing facing Eric ten Hag's side, he won Man United in his match as Aston Villa manager: "For us, it is a good challenge. A very different match on Sunday to the one we played at home when I arrived here."
Alejandro Garnacho has resumed training with his teammates, according to Erik ten Hag, as Manchester United prepares for Sunday's Premier League matchup against Aston Villa.
Since suffering an ankle injury in the second half of our 0-0 draw with Southampton at Old Trafford on March 12, the young Argentine winger has been out of commission for United.
The manager was questioned about Garnacho's health during his pre-game press conference, which was conducted right after the Reds' 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Thursday night.
"Yes [he is closer to being back]," said Ten Hag.
"He will return tomorrow [Friday] in the team training part and then we have to see when he can return totally in the team training and then back into games.''
Due to an injury he acquired in training, club captain Harry Maguire was not present for the matchday squad in the capital on Thursday.
On Sunday, Maguire might be able to make a comeback, but fellow center backs Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez will still be out.
Although Erik did state after the semi-final match against Brighton that Varane would return in time for the FA Cup final on Saturday, June 3, against Manchester City, the exact date of his return is still unknown.
After overcoming the problem he encountered in the semi-final against Brighton, Bruno Fernandes started the Spurs game and seemed to have emerged unhurt.
Before the start of the following season, Donny van de Beek won't be appearing again. Due to injuries, Tom Heaton and Scott McTominay will also miss this Sunday's game against the Villans.
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