First-half goals from Conor Gallagher and Richarlison were enough to seal all three points for Roberto De Zerbi’s Tottenham Hotspur, who came out as fully deserved winners at Villa Park.
Unai Emery admitted that his side were second best, stressing that the visitors performed better and calling on his players to maintain their fighting spirit as the season nears its end.
He said he was disappointed but insisted the result had to be accepted, explaining that Spurs were sharper and more concentrated early on, scoring twice quickly. Although Villa tried to respond, Emery noted they were forced into a reactive approach in the second half and struggled to produce clear-cut chances, only managing a late goal through Emiliano Buendía.
He added that it was important to take stock of the season as a whole, acknowledging Tottenham’s deserved win while also pointing out that both teams are competing for similar Premier League positions.
With three league fixtures remaining and a Europa League semi-final second leg at home against Nottingham Forest on Thursday, Emery stressed that there is still plenty left to play for.
The Villa manager maintained that his team are in a strong position in the table and capable of finishing the campaign well. He highlighted their overall consistency across the season, even if recent matches against Fulham and Tottenham have not produced points.
Looking ahead, he pointed to their upcoming trip to Burnley as another chance to respond, saying the focus now is on recovery—both physically and mentally—and rebuilding confidence during the week.
Emery also emphasized the importance of the Europa League semi-final second leg, urging his squad to stay highly motivated for the home fixture.
Finally, he noted that the Premier League is a 38-game season, and with Villa sitting on 58 points after 35 matches, they remain ahead of rivals in the race for a top-five finish despite recent setbacks.
