Unai Emery, the former Arsenal coach, has expressed his hope that Aston Villa could capitalize on West Ham United’s current endeavors in the Europa League. Emery believes that the Hammers’ focus on the continental competition could potentially impact their Premier League results and allow Villa to gain an advantage.
West Ham United’s impressive season so far has seen them secure a spot in the UEFA Europa League, which will see them compete in a highly competitive football tournament, taking on some of the best teams in Europe. However, despite their achievements, their form in the domestic league has been less than convincing of late. They have lost their last two games against Manchester United and Arsenal respectively, which has seen them drop down the league table.
Unai Emery believes this could be a golden opportunity for Aston Villa to capitalize on the Hammers’ recent form and gain some crucial points in the Premier League. Speaking to Sky Sports, Emery said, “West Ham did a big effort in the Europa League to qualify. Sometimes, it’s possible that this kind of work you pay in the Premier League. They lost two games in a row in which they were playing well. Aston Villa can take advantage of that.”
Villa started the season exceptionally well, winning their first three games of the season, including an impressive victory over Liverpool. However, their form has dipped in recent weeks, losing their last two games against Watford and Chelsea. Despite this, they are still in a solid position in the league table, currently occupying the 12th position with nine points from their first six games.
Emery, who has coached in the Premier League with Arsenal, believes that Villa’s recent struggles could actually work in their favor. “It’s also true that, as a coach, you prefer to come from a defeat with your team. West Ham are coming from two, and that’s not good for the confidence or the mentality,” he said.
The Spanish tactician also offered words of encouragement to Aston Villa, expressing his belief that they have the quality to compete with the best teams in the league. Speaking about the club’s ambitions, Emery said, “Aston Villa have the possibility to make a great season. They have a great team and a great coach. They are looking to compete with the big teams in the Premier League and that’s good for them.”
Dean Smith, the Villa manager, will be hoping that his team can rediscover their early-season form and bounce-back from their recent defeats. He will also be keen to exploit West Ham’s turbulent domestic form and secure a favorable result when the two sides meet later in the season. Smith knows that his team has the quality and the experience to compete with the best teams in the league, and they will be looking to do just that in the upcoming fixtures.
In conclusion, Unai Emery’s words of encouragement and hope for Villa is significant for the club as it adds more motivation and purpose for the team to strive and do better. With West Ham’s involvement in the Europa League, Villa’s chance to gain an advantage heightens more. As proven in the football world, any unpredictable situations can occur, and this could be Villa’s turning point to excel and attain their goals for the season.