Emery disapapointed after dropping points following Everton loss as they squander chance to move up to second.
Unai Emery rues missed opportunity after Aston Villa fail to close gap on Arsenal.
After losing to Everton, Unai Emery acknowledged that Aston Villa “lost a very good opportunity,” but he urged perspective after his team’s failure to move up to second place in the Premier League.
All three teams dropped points in the title battle over the weekend; Arsenal was held to a goalless draw at Nottingham Forest, while City lost to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Villa is now seven points behind leaders Arsenal and tied with Manchester City.
After Thierno Barry’s strike gave David Moyes’ team victory at Villa Park, Emery made a reference to the wider picture. On Thursday, Villa takes on Fenerbahce in the Europa League in an attempt to advance to the round of 16 before travelling to Newcastle.
“We are doing a fantastic season,” Emery insisted. “When we played at Everton [in September], we drew and we were worse than now.
“Of course, today we lost a very good opportunity and we are in front of other teams who are competing to be in the position we are. We lost the opportunity to be second in the league, something really fantastic. But after feeling our frustration at losing this match, we must try and recover our good, positive way.
“Football is to win, to lose, or to draw. When you are losing you are sad, like we are now, when you are winning you are happy but mostly we have had more time happy than sad.”
Asked if McGinn’s injury would alter their focus in the transfer market, Emery said: “Onana and [Ross] Barkley are coming back in one or two weeks. We have enough players to get the performance we need. Of course we must replace some players who are leaving.
“Of course when some players are getting injured it’s not good, but it’s football and we have to accept it. It is an opportunity for another player to play.”