Unai Emery has already set Aston Villa a new objective for the new season

Aston Villa have two more friendlies to play before they start their new Premier League campaign against West Ham at the London Stadium on Saturday, August 17

Unai Emery has set Aston Villa the target of keeping their place in the Champions League next season after qualifying for the competition by finishing fourth last term.

Villa managed to secure their place in UEFA’s elite club competition before the final day after rivals top four rivals Tottenham lost 2-0 to Manchester City at home in their penultimate game of the campaign. Emery’s side were struck down by injuries across the season and after focusing on their league finish, were knocked out of the Europa Conference League at the semi-final stage by Olympiacos.

“We arrived here [Villa] and we were getting playing in Europe in the Conference League, we competed getting into the semi-final and played FA Cup and Carabao Cup, we were out of those competitions, but we were focused as a first target, the Premier League,” Emery explained out in the USA last week.

“We achieved our better objective we can have in our start of the season, it is to play this year in the Champions League. The process is clear, we go Europe through the Conference League and we got Champions League. Now it is the highest challenge I can have and we can have at Aston Villa, which is to keep it.

“Keep it in the Premier League, being competitive in the Champions League and, of course, two cups we are going to play are other opportunities to get some trophies. We have to try and be contenders in case in those competitions we can progress in different matches.

“The process is clear. Try to get top 10 qualification in the Premier League. After top 10, try to get a European position and try to get the European competition in the highest target we can have, the Champions League. Easy.”

Emery added: “The players have too understand, everybody has to do one step ahead, not only playing with their qualities, but also get their commitment higher.

“I want every players doing this step ahead and I like when the players are being smart and being a protagonist, trying to add when we are having meetings together about the objectives.

“On the field I want one team, every player leading and speaking, committed with their teammates and always being smart, taking good decisions.

“I want to push other players as well to be always trying to be a protagonist and always speaking between us in the same direction. We have very good leaders in the squad, different leaders as each one has their qualities. McGinn is the captain, but Emi Martinez, Tyrone Mings – he is now injured but he is very important in the squad – Tielemans with his experiences, Watkins is improving a lot, Leon Bailey. Other players like Lucas Digne has experiences.”