Unai Emery urges no let-up as Aston Villa boss eyes perfect Champions League finish
Unai Emery has told Villa to take any mathematical permutations out of the equation by winning both of their remaining Champions League group phase matches.
Villa sit sixth in the table with two games remaining and know a win in Monaco on Tuesday night would go a long way to cementing a top-eight finish, seeing them straight through to the last-16 avoiding February’s play-off round.
But while Emery believes three or four points will likely be enough from here, he does not want to take any chances.
Villa finish their group stage campaign when they host Celtic on Wednesday week.
Emery said: “I think maybe 17 is the points tally teams will need, but maybe 16 will be enough.
“But our opportunity and objective is not to get 16 but 19 points because with 19 points we will be there for sure.
“How we are playing this competition is most important, trying to enjoy each moment, focus each match, show our capacity, how we can perform against some of the best teams in the world.”
Monaco sit three points behind Villa in the standings and Emery continued: “Tomorrow Monaco is one of the teams as well very experienced in Europe, last year second in the French League, this year fourth, here I have played sometimes and it is very difficult.
“I think for all villa supporters it is one day to try to share together our feelings for this competition.
“To play in Europe is very special. I am trying to transmit that to the players. We want to compete.”
