Unai Emery insists that Aston Villa are “contenders but not favorites” to win the FA Cup of this season after sealing their place in the quarterfinals.
Villa went to the last eight in the competition for the first time in 10 years, with Marco Asensio scored a brace in a 2-0 win over Cardiff City.
Emery's side will be one of the at least five Premier League teams in the quarterfinals, because they are looking for their first cutlery since winning the EFL Cup 1995-96.
But with people like Manchester City, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, the Spaniard is determined that his side are not favorites to lift the trophy.
“The players performed fantastic [against Cardiff]”He said.” At home, with our football, we are comfortable. We respected the opponent.
“Play against a championship team, [we try] To respect them because you can lose a match, even if you are better than the opponent.
“We are inside [a] Quarterfinals, we are happy. We know the difficulties with which we are confronted, but enjoy every moment. We perform very well at home here.
“The cup is very important for the club, for the supporters, for ourselves – but it is also a way for a trophy. We are not considered favorites to win this trophy. We are contenders, but not favorites.”
Asensio has now scored four goals in his last three performances for Villa in all competitions, without a Premier League player who scores more since his debut on 9 February.
In the meantime, colleague Loanener Marcus Rashford has created more opportunities in all competitions than any other Premier League player (13) in the same period.
With Villa who is also fighting for the European places of the Premier League and is preparing for a Last-16 Stroptdas from the Champions League with Club Brugge, Emery says that his entire team should play their role during the busy schedule.
“It is important for the team, it is also important for the players individually to get their individual target,” he added.
“He is [Marco Asensio] Fantastic also adjust [Marcus] Rashford. We need them for the next competitions and the challenges we have.
“We need the players who participated in the last window. We have to return the players from an injury. Every player will be needed for the matches in the coming weeks and months.”
Gd morning pic.twitter.com/yxhugtnvlj
– Aston Villa (@AVFCofficial) March 1, 2025
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