Unai Emery is targeting a return to the UEFA Champions League next season after their quarter-final exit in the hands of Paris Saint-Germain, Afrosport reports.
The Villains lost the first leg in Paris 3-1 and almost stagged a comeback in Tuesday’s return leg after scoring three goals.
However, two goals by PSG condemned Villa to a 5-4 aggregate defeat, and Emery is proud of his team’s output.
“Of course, we can feel happy, we can feel proud, we can feel as well comfortable with the work we did,” the Spaniard said.
“But if we want to achieve the next level like they showed here and there – there in a different way, here with transition they did in the first half. But being proud with everything we did, how we played in this Champions League.
“But I am going to demand from myself, the players and the club as well how we can get even better.”
Emery further added: “We are in our process, and we achieved our highest level. Of course in the Premier League we are playing against teams of the same level like PSG.
“Next Saturday we are going to play against Newcastle, Manchester City next week. But in Champions League against a team like PSG, of course, we can test ourselves how we are responding.
“And I am so proud, I am so happy, and I am really confident how we are increasing our standards, our demands, and how we are achieving it. Of course, we are finishing here in quarter-final, and hopefully we can come back quick to play again in the Champions League.
“This is the next objective that we have for the next six matches we are going to play in Premier League to get into Europe and hopefully to the Champions League and to play in the FA Cup for a trophy.”
A @ChampionsLeague campaign to remember
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— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) April 16, 2025
Aston Villa are currently seventh in the Premier League standings, one point behind fifth-placed Manchester City for the final Champions League qualification spot.
They are also in the FA Cup and will face Crystal Palace in the semi-finals.