Unai Emery Delivers Brutal Aston Villa Title Reality Check in Jaw-Dropping Interview
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery claimed his team shouldn't be considered among the contenders to secure a Premier League top-five spot in a startling interview that pundit Jamie Redknapp described as "among the strangest" he's witnessed.
The Birmingham club had an opportunity to narrow the distance to Premier League frontrunners Arsenal on Sunday but suffered a crushing 1–0 loss to Everton, putting them seven points adrift in the championship chase while maintaining their third-place position.
Obviously irritated by the outcome, Emery utilized his post-game media session to join Enzo Maresca, Ruben Amorim and Oliver Glasner as another Premier League coach to cause bewilderment.
"We are not contender to be in the top five," Emery declared to Sky Sports with particular stress on the last word. "We are [in the top five now] but we are still not being contenders.
"There are other teams with more potential than us."
When questioned about his reasoning, Emery went silent, gazing vacantly with a slight grin before the reporter quickly concluded the discussion. "Thank you," Emery replied instantly.
Ashley Young: 'It's Just Weird'
Ashley Young: 'It's Just Weird'
Given that Villa remain seven points ahead of fourth-placed Liverpool, with fifth-positioned Manchester United trailing by an additional point, many questioned how Emery could think his squad, still tied on points with Manchester City above them, faces difficulties securing Champions League qualification.
"He appeared genuinely furious," former Villa winger Ashley Young observed. "It might be ... perhaps the injuries? Maybe another addition to the casualty list with John McGinn, without Boubacar Kamara. Key players—[Amadou] Onana too.
"Is it the transfer of Donyell Malen? Is he making a statement to the ownership, 'Look at my roster, I require more signings?'
"It was an unusual interview, honestly. We expected him to discuss the match more and a lost chance to reduce Arsenal's lead. To then claim five other clubs have greater potential ... it's simply strange."
Jamie Redknapp: 'Up There With Benítez, Keegan'
Jamie Redknapp: 'Up There With Benítez, Keegan'
Co-pundit Redknapp was similarly confused by the interview, regarding both its substance and Emery's conduct.
Making references to Rafa Benítez's memorable tirade against Sir Alex Ferguson from 2009 or Kevin Keegan's 1996 explosion which was also provoked by the Man Utd icon, Redknapp stated he couldn't comprehend Emery's motives.
"It wasn't exactly Rafa 'Facts' or Kevin Keegan's 'I'd love it if we beat them,' but it was definitely among the most peculiar interviews I've witnessed," he commented.
"The moment at the conclusion where he's speaking ... he just becomes silent ... It was a perfectly reasonable question, she wasn't posing anything challenging for him. I'm unsure what he's attempting to suggest. I suppose he's simply truly heartbroken by the display and the outcome.
"They do require reinforcements. We examined what they had available as substitutes, they were lacking. They don't have the alternatives. Harvey Elliott hasn't succeeded and wasn't among the substitutes, Jadon Sancho was unwell.
"It appears Boubacar Kamara will be sidelined for an extended period and John McGinn has a knee issue. They will need to bolster that midfield position."