‘This is our motivation’: Unai Emery opens about Aston Villa’s title chances ahead of Premier League clash vs Arsenal

Villa enter Tuesday’s match against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium in third place on the table with 39 points and can go joint top with a win over the table toppers. (AP Photo)

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has played down talk of the club challenging for the Premier League title, saying it makes no sense to discuss winning the league so early in the season. Villa enter Tuesday’s match against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium in third place on the table with 39 points and can go joint top with a win over the table toppers.

“To speak about the title does not make sense for us. Now, in December, it does not make sense. We are motivated and excited, but for the moment, we are motivated for the match we play tomorrow. With three points difference between them and us, this is our motivation.”

“With how we are performing, we can feel proud of everything we are building. Tactically, mentally, individually. We are trying to feel inside as a family, we are spending more time here than with family. The next challenge is very difficult, the most difficult challenge we can face now because it’s the best team,” Emery said in a press conference on Monday.

The Spaniard said that Villa should be proud of what they had achieved so far, but admitted they will be up against a “fantastic” Arsenal side on Tuesday.

“We must be proud of everything we’re doing, but we must be humble and confident and we must be ambitious as well. They (Arsenal) are playing fantastic, being so strong in everything. They are getting better and better. We are so motivated to get this moment to play against them.

“For them, it is very important because three weeks ago we beat them and they will usually want to show their power against us. This is the next step forward. Our test is how we can face them with our structure,” the 54-year-old said.

Emery revealed that his dream with Aston Villa and personally as a coach was to win the Champions League.

“Dreams are free. Everyone has to dream. I have my dream and I am here getting my dream. My huge dream here and as a coach is to win the Champions League. That is my dream, all my life. The level I am, my dream is still to win the Champions League. I don’t know if I can have again this opportunity,” he said.