Unai Emery has urged Aston Villa to use their agonising Champions League quarter-final exit against Paris Saint-Germain as a driving force to qualify for the competition again as quickly as possible. Despite producing a spirited performance to come from 5-1 down on aggregate, Villa’s 3-2 win on the night was not enough to overturn PSG’s advantage. The French side progressed to the semi-finals, where they will face either Arsenal or Real Madrid.
Villa now have a clear goal ahead of them: securing a return to the Champions League next season by finishing in the Premier League’s top five. Emery, who took charge of Villa last season, was full of pride for his team’s performance, with Youri Tielemans, John McGinn, and Ezri Konsa all on the scoresheet in a thrilling encounter. Although the defeat was disappointing, Emery believes the team demonstrated their ability to compete at the highest level and is determined to return to Europe’s premier club competition soon.
“The most important thing for us now is to qualify for Europe again,” said Emery. “The Champions League is the key, and it’s vital that we aim for that. We need to focus on the remaining six matches and try to finish in a position that allows us to play in Europe again, and ideally, in the Champions League.”
Emery stressed that the loss should serve as motivation for his players, highlighting their potential to compete with Europe’s elite teams. “We showed we can compete at this level. The objective is to come back quickly to the Champions League, and we also aim to go for a trophy in the FA Cup,” he added.
The manager was also asked about the future of Marcus Rashford, whose performance against PSG, on loan from Manchester United, was a standout. Rashford has enjoyed a promising spell at Villa, and Emery was keen to praise his contribution. “It’s difficult to plan for next season at this point,” Emery admitted. “If Marcus is happy here, we are happy. He’s feeling comfortable and played fantastically today. But of course, it all depends on what happens in the coming weeks and next year.”
Villa’s focus remains firmly on qualifying for the Champions League, and the manager is clear about what needs to be done. However, while the defeat to PSG was disappointing, there was a sense of pride in the way the team fought back. Villa’s resilience in the face of a daunting task was not lost on Emery, who believes his side is on the right path.
Paris Saint-Germain, on the other hand, will now look to go one step further after falling at the semi-final stage to Borussia Dortmund last season. Head coach Luis Enrique praised his squad, calling them the best in the world, and expressed his excitement about the upcoming semi-final. “I have no preference on who we face next,” said Enrique. “I just want to enjoy the moment, celebrate the victory, and relax for now.”
PSG captain Marquinhos echoed his coach’s sentiments, expressing confidence that the team can go all the way and secure their first-ever Champions League title. “It’s going to be a tough semi-final, whether we play Arsenal or Real Madrid, but we believe in our ability to win,” said the Brazilian defender.
Meanwhile, there was a concerning incident at Villa Park during the match when a home supporter threw a bottle at the Spanish referee, José María Sánchez, as the officials left the pitch. UEFA may launch an investigation into the matter, adding a sour note to an otherwise memorable night in European competition.
As the dust settles on Villa’s exit, the club will reflect on their progress and look ahead with determination. They know that a return to the Champions League is within their reach, but they must remain focused on the task at hand in the Premier League to make that a reality.
