Unai Emery sets Champions League mission as Aston Villa edge Southampton win

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is quickly turning his attention to the UEFA Champions League following their 1-0 Premier League win over Southampton.

Jhon Duran’s first-half goal sealed successive league victories for Emery on the back of three straight top-flight losses against rivals Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham.

Victory against the Saints is a vital boost for Emery ahead of a crucial few weeks of action before the end of 2024.

Villa head to RB Leipzig on 10 December, looking to push their case for a spot in the Round of 16, followed by four more league clashes this month.

The immediate focus for Emery is on Leipzig, with Villa’s contrasting European form a cause for concern, despite a brilliant start on their Champions League debut.

Three straight wins in their first appearance in the competition since it was renamed – including an historic 1-0 home victory over Bayern Munich – put Villa in a strong position, but defeat to Club Brugge and a 0-0 tie with Juventus has stalled their momentum.

The former Arsenal chief wants this result to act as a platform for his team ahead of their tricky trip to Germany in midweek.

Successive Premier League victories at Villa Park in a week