Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has said Newcastle are a similar level to Paris Saint-Germain ahead of his team’s crunch clash with the Magpies this weekend.
Villa take on Newcastle in a huge fixture this weekend, as both teams battle for Champions League qualification.
It’s a meeting of two of England’s form teams, with Emery’s side having won nine of their last 10 in all competitions. Newcastle are targeting a seventh straight win and thrashed Crystal Palace 5-0 in midweek to climb to third in the Premier League table.
Time to finish strong 💪 pic.twitter.com/mtFplqJNIH
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) April 18, 2025
Aston Villa are a point outside the Champions League places as things stand. The Villans exited Europe in midweek, despite a gallant effort to beat Paris Saint-Germain 3-2 at home.
Ahead of this weekend’s clash at Villa Park, Emery said he wants full focus back on the Premier League. However, he insisted this weekend’s opponents pose just as tough a test as the French champions.
“It’s done. Everything we did is done,” Emery said on Villa’s Champions League campaign, in which the club reached the quarter-finals.
“Take our experiences together here, try to analyse to continue improving things, but thinking the next matches, the match tomorrow.
“Everything we are doing, of course, we are enjoying, we are trying to share with our supporters, we are trying as well to get our performances for everything, but now, Premier League, tomorrow’s match.
“The most important for me now, is how they are, the players.
“Tomorrow’s match is our objective, and the level they [Newcastle] have is similar level as PSG’s team.”
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