Villa remaining calm amid title talk, says Emery

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has called for calm in any talk of his side’s Premier League victory. after beating Newcastle.

Villa moved back to level on points with Manchester City after a fine win in the north-east, but Emery refuses to get carried away.

He said: “Next week we play Brentford at home. Last week we lost and last week no one asked me about the title contenders.

“We lost to Everton, ‘No, not now’; and we win today, ‘Yes now’.

“Okay, calm down. Staying balanced is the only goal I have in mind, and the only way I know is to work every day and if you perform consistently, maybe you can do better and maybe by day 35 we can talk differently.

“Of course, we’re competing against Arsenal, we’re competing against Manchester City, we’re competing against Chelsea, we’re competing against Liverpool, we’re competing against Newcastle, against Tottenham… Wow, the power they have.

“But we are competing and here we are, we are scoring points.”

Villa have faced a major blow with the news that midfielder John McGinn could be out for up to two months with a knee injury.

Emery said: “My experience with Aston Villa here last year was horrible.

“We are so happy, so proud of the work we have done because after our defeat against Everton we had to react like we did on Thursday. Firstly – it was very important on Thursday against Fenerbahce – and today.”