Unai Emery calls for 'best of Aston Villa' in Saturday's showdown with Chelsea

Villa host the west London club aiming for a win to spark a push toward the Champions League places.

Emery’s men trail the fifth-placed visitors by four points in the Premier League table and the boss said: “Tomorrow I want the best of us, collectively and individually. 

“With our support, hopefully we can transmit our energy to them and we can receive the response with their support to us. 

“Hopefully together we can create a big atmosphere, play with our energy and our skill and tactical ideas being strong. Hopefully tomorrow. 

“This is my challenge and my objective for tomorrow, respecting them (Chelsea) a lot.”

Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with leaders Liverpool saw Villa deliver their best Premier League performance for some time but they are now five matches without a win in the top-flight.

Emery knows his team have left themselves with work to do if they are to finish in the top-five but believes there is still time to make a charge.

“We lost good opportunities along the way but consistency is the first message I sent when we started the season, be consistent in 38 matches,” he said.

“There are still matches to play and still time to get it. It is more difficult than two months ago but I accept how we are building the team and responding in different competitions.

“We are not being as strong as I want in the Premier League but there are still matches to play, to react and get better in the table. This is our first target, to achieve our objective through the Premier League this season.”