Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has spelt out the club’s priority as the 2025-2026 Premier League season continues to unfold.
The Spanish coach stated that the though the club wants to do well in the Europa League, its priority is to excel in the EPL.
He said this after Villa’s 2-1 win over Arsenal that had Villa move to third place in the league standings and be just three points off leaders Arsenal; the club occupies the same spot in the Europa League group stage standings.
In an interview with TNT Sports after Emiliano Buendia’s winning goal, Unai Emery was clear on what the club prioritizes the most competing in this season.
Aston Villa’s Dutch defender #22 Ian Maatsen (R) vies with Arsenal’s English midfielder #07 Bukayo Saka during the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Arsenal at Villa Park in Birmingham, central England on December 6, 2025. (Photo by JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
“So happy [for the win against Arsenal]. We finished this week really playing like we need to – competing, demanding ourselves, adapting to the opponent and playing with personality.”
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery celebrates the late winning goal during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal (Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
“We are going to focus game by game. We know our only way is if we are trying to focus on each competition. Europa League we want to play well but Premier League is our first priority” Emery said.
Emi Buendia of Aston Villa (R) celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with teammate Morgan Rogers (L) during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Aston Villa take on FC Basel of Switzerland in the Europa League next on Thursday, December 11.
Leandro Trossard of Arsenal is challenged by John McGinn of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Arsenal (Photo by David Price/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
