Unai Emery piles pressure on Newcastle United ahead of Aston Villa clash
Aston Villa face Newcastle at Villa Park on Saturday in a battle which could determine who will be dining at Europe's top table next season
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has acknowledged Newcastle's impressive form ahead of their pivotal Premier League showdown at Villa Park this Saturday and even claimed they are favourites for a place in the Champions League.
Villa, fresh from a Champions League exit despite a valiant 3-2 victory over Paris St Germain, are setting sights on European qualification, with the upcoming match against third-placed Newcastle crucial for their ambitions.
Despite being without Eddie Howe on the sidelines as he recovers from pneumonia, Newcastle stride into the clash on a six-game winning streak, including lifting the Carabao Cup.
Emery emphasised the significance of the weekend fixture, stating: "The first step tomorrow. The first three points we will face against favourites to be in the top five, because they are now really performing very well, they are winning a lot of matches in a row, getting a lot of points.
"They are now in their best moment. They are performing very well, they are winning matches, they are feeling confident, they are feeling strong.
"They have five points more than us. It means a lot, how we are, how they are, how important is the match tomorrow.
"Still 18 points to play (for) in (the) Premier League, and they have five points in advantage."
Villa are currently navigating a hectic run of fixtures, playing three matches within a single week. The team is set to face Manchester City next on Tuesday.
"The most important for me now, is how they are, the players," Emery said. "We are going to train this afternoon. We are going to try to test the players, how they are for tomorrow. At the beginning every player is available for tomorrow."
"Only if someone can feel something or tired more than normal but tomorrow's match is our objective, and the level they (Newcastle) have is similar level as PSG's team."