Unai Emery says Aston Villa must not drop performance levels against Southampton

Southampton’s instant return to the Championship was confirmed last week.

By contributor Jonathan Veal, PA
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Unai Emery at a press conference
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is calling for focus ahead of the trip to Southampton (Adam Davy/PA)

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is not prepared to risk his reputation by allowing his side not to be fully focused on Saturday’s trip to relegated Southampton.

Villa’s trip to St Mary’s is sandwiched in between the Champions League quarter-final with Paris St-Germain, with Emery’s side needing to overturn a 3-1 first-leg deficit in Tuesday’s second leg.

Southampton’s instant return to the Championship was confirmed last week, but Emery says Saturday’s Premier League clash is their most important game.

“If we are not performing well tomorrow, we are at risk,” he said at a press conference.