Unai Emery has called for everyone at Aston Villa to stick together following a disappointing loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers. The defeat, which Emery described as embarrassing, comes just weeks after the manager admitted he had been dreaming of a Premier League title challenge.
Villa became only the second team to lose to Wolves in the league this season. The match marked one of the poorest performances of Emery’s time in charge. Joao Gomes broke the deadlock just after the hour mark, and Rodrigo Gomes added a second deep into stoppage time to seal the win for the visitors.
Speaking after the game, Emery acknowledged the frustration but reminded fans of how far the team has come. He stressed the importance of staying united as the season reaches a critical point.
“I want to tell the supporters that we need their energy,” Emery said. “On Wednesday we need their help. We need to be together, coaches, players, supporters, everyone. The season is being fantastic.”
The manager reflected on how expectations have shifted since the start of the campaign. He admitted that the team had exceeded expectations for much of the season but has struggled in recent weeks.
“Our expectation at the beginning of the season, we were over this for the last three months. Maybe now we are a little worse than two months ago,” he said.
Emery also spoke openly about the high hopes that had built up during the team’s strong run. He confessed that even he had started to think about the possibility of winning the league when Villa were competing with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City.
“We are losing the opportunity to win the title in the Premier League. Two months ago we were competing with Arsenal and Manchester City, and you were asking me about it. Someone, even myself, may say ‘maybe we can’. Some supporters, maybe they were dreaming it,” he said.
“Now we are not with the possibility to fight for the Premier League. Some can feel frustrated, even myself because I have my dreams.”
Despite the setback, Emery reminded everyone of the club’s original goals for the season. He pointed out that in September he was simply worried about staying in the Premier League. By December, the focus had shifted to finishing in the top five and qualifying for the Champions League.
“In September I was worried and the objective was to stay in the Premier League. In December I was so happy and excited to get the top five position and achieve the Champions League,” he said.
Villa now face a crucial match against Chelsea on Wednesday night. The game is a direct clash with another team hoping to secure Champions League football. A win would give Villa some breathing room over the Blues, who travel to Arsenal this weekend.
Emery made it clear that the focus must now be on bouncing back quickly and securing the main target for the season.