Unai Emery called the Champions League 'another competition.'
But there is a drag on Villa's results that the Spaniard must address if his club does not want to suffer the same fate as Newcastle United. The Magpies' excitement in qualifying for the competition 12 months ago had a knock-on effect on their Premier League form. And Villa seems to be heading in the same direction.
Emery said: “The Champions League is different, it's completely different – another competition. Last year we played in the Europa Conference League and finished fourth. It is not an excuse to fail.”
But the run of results following their efforts in European football's premier club competition is starting to take effect. Villa defeated Wolves after their debut against Young Boys. But since then they have made five Premier League appearances following their Champions League games, winning none, drawing twice and losing the other three.
Villa recorded consecutive victories over Brentford and Southampton after an eight-match winless streak. And while that gave their campaign new impetus, it was lost in the final ten minutes on Trentside.
Unusually, Emery also drew attention to a penalty that was not awarded in Villa's favor due to a first-half foul on Morgan Rogers. He normally avoids commenting on refereeing decisions but chose to break the mold at the City Ground.
It was a bad day for him – and for his team – who fell slightly off the pace and later succumbed to Forest pressure, suggesting claims of fatigue were justified. Emery said: “We were thinking about the win, but a point wasn't bad because we are fighting with them and it is difficult here.
“I was calm after they scored and thought maybe we would go home with a point. In the end we lost three.”
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