Unai Emery's 'weird' post-match interview after Aston Villa loss - 'Still not contenders'

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A dejected Unai Emery has claimed that third-placed Aston Villa aren't even 'contenders for the top five' in the Premier League following their damaging 1-0 loss against Everton . In one of the most bizarre post-match interviews of the season, Emery appeared to bemoan the lack of depth in his squad, as Villa's run of 11 successive home wins across all competitions came to an abrupt end.

Thierno Barry's second-half goal made the difference, as David Moyes ' side came out of Sunday's hard-fought contest on top. Villa were left ruing their blunt attack, as they missed the chance to go within four points of league leaders Arsenal after the Gunners' drab 0-0 draw away to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Earlier that day, second-place Manchester City were beaten 2-0 by Manchester United . But it proved to be a weekend when none of the title contenders took maximum points.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the defeat, Emery was firstly asked if the result surprised him. "No," the Villa boss bluntly replied, smiling to conceal his anger.

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Emery was then pressed on the reasons behind Everton's victory. "Because they compete very well," the Spaniard said.

"We had our chances, we didn't score and they had less chances, but they scored. They [ Everton ] compete well and after the goal they defended well. Yes, we can avoid the goal, but we didn't.

"A lot of matches we play like that we win. They competed well, this is Premier League - they're a very good team and they have a very good coach."

When quizzed on referee Tony Harrington's decision not to give James Garner a second yellow card for pushing Morgan Rogers on the edge of the box, Emery responded: "It is the referee's decision."

At the end of the interview, the Villa manager was asked how important it is for his team to respond when they travel to Newcastle next Sunday after a midweek trip to Fenerbahce in the Europa League . But he wasn't interested in looking ahead.

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"We are still being not contenders to be in the top five," Emery declared. "We are now but we are still not being a contender... There are other teams with more potential than us."

The reporter asked: "Why do you think that?" to which Emery stared at her and remained silent before the interview came to an end. Reacting to his comments, Sky pundit Jamie Redknapp said: "It was certainly one of the oddest interviews I have ever seen.

"The bit at the end, when he goes quiet. It was a very sensible question. I don't know what he is trying to allude to. I guess he is just genuinely devastated with that performance and result. They do need players.

"We looked at what they have on the bench, they were short. They haven't got the options. Harvey Elliott hasn't worked out and wasn't on the bench, Jadon Sancho was ill.

"It looks like Boubacar Kamara is going to be out for a long time and John McGinn has a problem with his knee. They will need to strengthen in that midfield area."

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Ex-Villa star Ashley Young added: "He looked really angry. It could be the injuries, another one added to the list with John McGinn and missing Boubacar Kamara and Amadou Onana.

"Is it the sale of Donyell Malen? Is it him speaking out to say to the owners that 'I need more players'? It was a weird interview.

"You think he'd speak more about the game and the missed opportunity to close the gap on Arsenal. To say there are five teams with more potential, it was weird."

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