Unai Emery targeting sprint finish to Aston Villa's marathon season

Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final at Preston kicks off a potentially momentous run-in for Emery’s men, who are still fighting for success on three fronts.

Villa face Paris Saint-Germain in next month’s Champions League quarter-finals and also have a host of crucial Premier League fixtures, as they look to repeat last year’s fourth-placed finish.

Emery, who has almost a full squad to call on after an injury-hit campaign until now, wants his team to be at full gas after watching them creep over the line 12 months ago.

He explained: “Two years ago we finished the season strong and we achieved the objective of Europe in the last two matches playing against Liverpool, drawing and against Brighton, winning at home. 

“Last year we finished the season so, so tired. A lot of players were injured, with not enough energy and we lost the last match against Crystal Palace away. 

“This year, my objective and my idea and how we are now planning the rest of the season is to try to be full energy.”

Ross Barkley (calf) is the only remaining player on the sidelines, though Emery revealed the midfielder is close to returning.

The manager looked visibly refreshed during Friday’s pre-match press conference, with Villa having not played since beating Club Brugge in the Champions League on March 12.

Their season could still contain another 17 matches and victory on Sunday would set up an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley. Villa, second favourites to win the competition behind Manchester City, will be heavily backed to beat their Championship hosts.

But Emery, beaten by League Two Stevenage in his first Cup match in charge in 2023, was quick to warn against complacency.

He said: “In the analysis about the teams now involved in this competition, of course the favourite is maybe Manchester City. With other teams we are contenders more or less similar. Fulham, Brighton, Nottingham Forest.

“Of course we are respecting Preston. We are favourites playing against Preston. We know it. But I know if we are not playing, respecting them, focusing the match and trying to get our best as well we can lose. 

“We can feel favourites. But favourites is something you have to feel or speak about it in the case you are really dominating it. For now we are contenders with a very good opportunity to try to be in Wembley or contenders for a trophy. 

“But we have to focus only on the match on Sunday and really prepare as well as possible, respecting as much as possible the Preston team. 

"This competition is a very good opportunity to try to use the opportunity we have created. Arriving here, to play and really focused 100 per cent in this moment."

The FA have confirmed the semi-final draw will immediately follow the conclusion of Sunday's match.