Aston Villa boss Unai Emery makes 'contenders' point about Manchester United ahead of final day showdown

Villa head to Old Trafford seeking a win which would put them in a strong position to secure a top-five finish and a place in Europe’s top club competition for the second season running.

United, by contrast, are languishing 16th in the table and reeling from Wednesday’s Europa League final defeat to Tottenham, a result which left them without any form of European competition next season.

Villa would finish 30 points ahead of the home side with a victory, a scenario which would have felt unthinkable for more than three decades.

Tottenham, despite their Europa League triumph, have also endured a miserable season in the top flight but Emery insists both clubs will begin next season as bigger “contenders” for a higher finish than his own.

He said: “The greatness is still there and the capacity to start next season being a contender more than us in the Premier League will be too. 

“Tottenham and Manchester United are both teams always when we are starting are contenders in front of us. 

“Of course, we are being demanding, ambitious, consistent to try and compete there as well.

“We achieved it two years ago, we achieved it last year and this year again we are going to be in front of them and in Europe. 

“But of course, there are other ways to try and get performances, through getting a trophy like Tottenham did and through that trophy to play in the Champions League. 

“They achieved their objective. They showed their capacity and power through another competition, being in Europe. 

“In the Premier League they lost in their process points and the capacity to respond because they were focusing more on Europe. But next year, we are going to start behind those teams again.”

Emery used the word “greatness” on four separate occasions when discussing United during Friday’s pre-match press conference and difficult though it is to align such a phrase to the current Red Devils team, caution for Villa may be advisable considering their rotten record at Old Trafford.

They have won just twice at the venue since 1983, while their record in away matches on the final day of the season is also lamentable, with just one win in the last 26 games.

On the other hand, it is a long time since they have faced such a poor United team. The home side’s tally of 20 defeats in all competitions this season is their highest since 1974, the last time they were relegated.

But Emery said: “Always, (I expect) the best of them. The best. The greatness of Manchester United is still there. The great coach they have is still there. 

“We have played here with Aston Villa for three years and I didn’t beat them here (Old Trafford). My respect is a massive respect for Manchester United, their players and for the coach.

“I expect the best of them because they will play honestly for the Premier League, for their supporters, to try and show their capacity to perform and to compete in the level they are.”