Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has cited his side's quarter-final second-leg victory over Paris Saint-Germain - and an earlier win against Bayern Munich - as evidence they deserve to be back in the UEFA Champions League next season.
Villa came back from 2-0 down to beat PSG 3-2 at Villa Park last night, but were eliminated 5-4 on aggregate. Notably, they were the first team this season to score three goals in a match against PSG, who clinched the French league title earlier this month.
"We beat Bayern and we won tonight, so the players showed their capacity at this level," said Emery, in his post-match press conference.
"They are here because they deserve to be here and facing matches like today. I am so proud of these players."
John McGinn, who scored the equaliser against PSG, said: "We had chances to take the game to extra-time but we've got to be proud about the way we came back against one of the best teams in the world, to fight to the end.
"We want more. We want to be back here next season and we will try our best to do that."
Villa's Champions League journey in photos
Quoted on Villa's official website, Emery reflected further on his team's European status.
"The idea is to try to be consistent in getting into Europe," said the head coach. "Last year we played in the Conference League and played a semi-final. This year we played in the Champions League and played a quarter-final.
"The best competition in Europe is the Champions League and it's the most difficult to achieve [qualification for].
"This is our objective and we will prepare the last six matches we are going to play in the Premier League to get it."
Villa's aggregate defeat to PSG means they will have to finish in the Premier League's top five places if they are to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Liverpool
LIV
|
33 | +44 | 79 |
| 2 |
Arsenal
ARS
|
33 | +34 | 66 |
| 3 |
Nott'm Forest
NFO
|
33 | +14 | 60 |
| 4 |
Newcastle
NEW
|
33 | +18 | 59 |
| 5 |
Man City
MCI
|
33 | +22 | 58 |
| 6 |
Chelsea
CHE
|
33 | +18 | 57 |
| 7 |
Aston Villa
AVL
|
33 | +6 | 57 |
Currently seventh in the Premier League table, Villa's next two matches are crucial meetings with fourth-placed Newcastle United and fifth-placed Manchester City.
In May, Villa will host Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur and visit AFC Bournemouth, before facing Manchester United away on the final day of the season.
"I'm demanding in how we can get better and better in the level we faced today, and the level we faced in the Champions League," added Emery.
"Now, in the Premier League we’re going to face the same level in Newcastle.
"Newcastle and Manchester City next week, this is really fantastic because our best test is against those teams and how we are responding.
"I think this is the process. We are building the team, a new structure and we are increasing our demands and standards.
"I want to get there with all the supporters of Aston Villa, the workers, the owners, the players and the coaches."
Villa are still in the FA Cup and will face Crystal Palace in their semi-final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday 26 April.
