Unai Emery says Aston Villa do not see themselves as contenders to qualify for the Champions League, but that will not stop them fighting for the club’s “dream”.
Emery was asked if this is the season Villa can finish in the top five, especially with some of the so-called ‘big six’ clubs struggling.
“Manchester United and Chelsea are still more contenders than us to be in the top five and top seven,” he said. “We are wanting and trying to get our opportunity to be there, but we are not contenders.
“We have to fight each match to do our best. Be ambitious, try to improve, try to learn, try to build a strong team and a strong structure. But we are focusing on 38 matches. Now we are fifth, yes that is very good. But we are not really feeling that we are contenders to be in the top seven.”
Villa welcome Fulham to Villa Park and can equal a club record of 13 straight home wins if they take three points.
Despite that impressive record, Emery still is not convinced Villa should be in the conversation to make the Champons League.
“We can dream,” he reiterated. “We can try to go match by match thinking how to improve, thinking to be fifth and thinking that if we can get one step ahead in the table to try to achieve this opportunity.
“We are doing it our way and working every day to try to get our dreams.”
