Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has admitted he feared a relegation battle after a poor start to the season, despite his side now standing on the verge of Champions League qualification.
The Spaniard’s side face a crucial final week of the campaign, taking on Liverpool and Manchester City in the Premier League.
They will also contest the Europa League final against German outfit Freiburg next Wednesday.
However, the former Villarreal boss believes his current squad are already overachieving by challenging the established elite.
Challenging the top seven
Emery insists there is a clear upper tier in English football, which includes Newcastle United alongside the traditional big six.
The 54-year-old places his own team in the chasing pack, grouping them alongside the likes of West Ham United, Everton, and Brighton.
“We have seen at the beginning of the season that there is a top seven in front of us,” said Emery.
“We are the teams behind those teams in the top seven, but Bournemouth, Brighton, Fulham and Brentford are performing fantastic.”
Overcoming early fears
The Midlands club endured a disastrous start to their domestic campaign, failing to register a victory in their opening five league fixtures.
This sluggish form initially left their head coach deeply concerned about their top-flight survival.
“After the first month and the first five matches we played and we were in the bottom, I was worried,” Emery revealed.
“I know how difficult the Premier League is.”
A victory over Liverpool would guarantee top-tier European football at Villa Park next season.
However, a recent slump of three league games without a win, including a draw against relegated Burnley, has added pressure to their top-five ambitions.
Arne Slot expects to remain as Liverpool manager next season despite a severely troubled campaign and mounting pressure from the Anfield fanbase.
The Dutchman has confirmed his active involvement in planning the club’s upcoming pre-season tour and summer recruitment strategy.
Speculation regarding his future has intensified recently following a staggering 18 defeats across all competitions this term.
Hierarchy ignores Alonso temptation
The Liverpool board have maintained their silence during a difficult period, signalling their continued faith in the 45-year-old coach.
Even Chelsea’s reported pursuit of former Reds midfielder Xabi Alonso has not prompted the Anfield hierarchy to reconsider their stance.
I have every reason to believe I am the Liverpool manager next season.
Arne Slot
A turbulent Anfield campaign
The Merseyside outfit have endured a dismal run of form, losing nine times within a brutal 12-game sequence.
This marks a stark contrast to the former Feyenoord boss’s previously upward career trajectory.
A massive £450m transfer spend has failed to yield results, with the title defence collapsing in the autumn amidst an injury crisis, a habit of conceding late goals, and a highly publicised dispute with Mohamed Salah.
I have always wanted to carry on and I have never once thought what you are suggesting because I think this club is in a much better place next season than this season.
Arne Slot
Fighting for Champions League qualification
While the current campaign will end without silverware, securing a top-five finish remains a critical objective for the struggling side.
Eliminations at the hands of Paris St-Germain and Manchester City effectively ended their trophy hopes two months ago.
It is the first time in my career that I am not in the end playing for a trophy, but we can still win qualification for the Champions League.
Arne Slot
The head coach attributes much of the external pressure to social media discourse rather than any internal club doubts.
Liverpool have opened discussions to sign Juventus goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio ahead of the summer transfer window, moving ahead of Premier League rivals Tottenham.
The Reds are actively seeking reinforcements between the posts amid persistent speculation surrounding the future of current number one Alisson Becker.
Reports in Italy suggest the Anfield hierarchy have now initiated formal contact regarding a deal for the highly-rated 26-year-old.
Spurs fall behind in pursuit
Tottenham had previously registered strong interest in acquiring the Italian shot-stopper.
However, the north London club appear to have lost ground as they struggle to guarantee elite Champions League competition for the upcoming campaign.
The Serie A standout is reportedly unenthusiastic about a potential switch to the English capital.
He has been widely praised by Italian media this season, described simply as being “among the best” in his domestic division.
Potential swap deal in the balance
The transfer situation presents a unique opportunity, with Juventus harbouring a longstanding admiration for Liverpool’s Brazilian international Alisson.
This mutual interest could eventually pave the way for a high-profile swap agreement between the two European heavyweights.
Securing top-tier continental football remains a crucial bargaining chip for the Merseyside outfit as they look to rebuild their squad this summer.
Arsenal have begun their summer recruitment drive by securing Bayer Leverkusen defender Piero Hincapie on a permanent deal as manager Mikel Arteta targets a £70m winger.
The North London club are preparing for another busy transfer window following a gruelling Premier League and Champions League campaign.
Sporting director Andrea Berta is determined to replicate the sustained excellence modelled by domestic rivals Manchester City.
Club executives understand that significant investment is required to address minor vulnerabilities before they develop into glaring weaknesses.
Securing defensive reinforcements
The first major piece of business for the upcoming season was actually arranged before the current campaign began.
A permanent move for the tenacious Ecuadorian defender has now been finalised following a successful season-long loan spell in the English capital.
The hierarchy utilised a buy-obligation structure akin to the David Raya deal to successfully navigate profit and sustainability regulations.
An initial £5m loan fee was paid to the reigning German champions, with the remaining £40m balance due in the coming weeks.
Focus shifts to attacking upgrades
With their defensive foundations strengthened, the recruitment team are now shifting their attention towards the left wing.
This flank has frequently been identified as an area of concern, producing considerably less attacking threat than the opposite side of the pitch.
Current wide options Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard have both delivered crucial moments this year, but neither has definitively cemented the starting role.
Consequently, at least one of these existing attackers is expected to depart this summer to facilitate the arrival of a genuinely elite forward.
French international Bradley Barcola has emerged as the primary target to fill this void in a proposed £70m deal.
Kylian Mbappe has claimed Real Madrid manager Alvaro Arbeloa told him he is the club’s fourth-choice forward after the striker was booed by fans during Thursday’s 2-0 victory over Real Oviedo.
The French forward was introduced as a 69th-minute substitute, replacing goalscorer Gonzalo Garcia, and faced loud whistles from the Bernabeu crowd.
This La Liga fixture marked the club’s first home match since bitter rivals Barcelona secured the league title.
It also followed a tumultuous week in the Spanish capital, with president Florentino Perez announcing his intention to call fresh presidential elections.
Mbappe reveals frustration over pecking order
The 25-year-old recently recovered from a hamstring problem that forced him to miss Sunday’s El Clasico defeat.
Despite declaring himself fully fit, the World Cup winner was left out of the starting lineup against Oviedo.
“I didn’t play because the coach told me I’m the fourth-choice forward in the squad behind Franco Mastantuono, Vinicius Junior and Gonzalo,” he told reporters.
“I accept it and play the time I’m given. I think I played well.”
“I was ready to start. I’m not angry with the manager. You always have to respect a coach’s decision.”
Arbeloa denies making fourth-choice comment
Addressing the media shortly after the final whistle, the Spanish head coach strongly refuted his striker’s version of events.
“I don’t have four forwards, and I certainly didn’t say anything like that to Mbappe,” Arbeloa said.
“Perhaps he didn’t understand me. I don’t know what else to tell you. At no point could I tell him that he’s the fourth-choice forward.”
The former defender emphasised that integrating a player who recently missed a crucial match due to injury required a cautious approach.
“A player who wasn’t on the bench four days ago shouldn’t start today,” the manager added.
“It’s not a final, it’s not a do-or-die situation. That’s all. I don’t have any problem with anyone.”
Fan backlash follows controversial holiday
The former Paris St-Germain star has faced intense scrutiny from local media and supporters after taking a brief holiday during his injury rehabilitation.
Failing to regain fitness in time for the crucial clash against Barcelona only intensified the frustration among the Madrid fanbase.
Defending his trip, the prolific attacker insisted his travel had been fully authorised by the club hierarchy and acknowledged the supporters’ reactions.
“It’s life. You can’t change people’s minds when they’re angry. I shouldn’t take it personally.”
The France national squad are privately backing captain Kylian Mbappe after his recent political comments regarding the far-right triggered a significant backlash.
The Real Madrid forward recently expressed deep concerns about the severe consequences of Marine Le Pen’s National Rally party winning upcoming elections in his homeland.
Those remarks prompted immediate retaliation from prominent political figures, who suggested the elite attacker should focus solely on his sporting career.
Political figures mock international captain
Party president Jordan Bardella took to social media to mock the former Paris St-Germain star, pointing to the French club’s recent Champions League progress since his departure.
I know what happens when Kylian Mbappé leaves PSG: the club wins the Champions League!
Le Pen also dismissed the political influence of the World Cup winner, stating that football fans are entirely capable of making independent voting decisions.
Meanwhile, party spokesperson Julien Odoul publicly demanded that the prolific goalscorer must refrain from acting as a political activist.
Teammates stand by their leader
The rising political tension has led to scattered public calls for manager Didier Deschamps to strip his star player of the armband ahead of this summer’s World Cup.
However, reports from French journalist Fabrice Hawkins indicate that the vast majority of the national squad firmly agree with their skipper’s stance.
Like it or not, KM said out loud what the vast, vast majority of players on the French national team think.
This unified dressing room support ensures the lightning-fast striker will retain his leadership role as Les Bleus prepare for their vital international campaign.
The French superstar, who boasts Cameroonian and Algerian heritage, has consistently used his massive global platform to speak out on important social issues.
His impressive domestic campaign, yielding 41 goals across all competitions, has already cemented his status as a crucial figure for the national side.
France manager Didier Deschamps has named his 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup in North America, with Kylian Mbappe and William Saliba headlining a star-studded selection.
Les Bleus will be looking to go one step further after suffering penalty shootout heartbreak against Argentina in the 2022 final.
The two-time winners begin their Group I campaign against Senegal on 16 June.
Subsequent group fixtures pit the European heavyweights against Iraq and Norway later in the month.
Premier League stars bolster defence
Arsenal centre-back Saliba is rewarded for an outstanding domestic campaign.
He is joined in the defensive ranks by Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate and Crystal Palace centre-half Maxence Lacroix.
Chelsea full-back Malo Gusto provides an option on the right flank alongside Barcelona’s Jules Kounde.
Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano and Paris St-Germain’s Lucas Hernandez add further elite experience to the backline.
Maignan steps up as new era begins
AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan officially takes the mantle as the nation’s undisputed number one.
He replaces legendary captain Hugo Lloris, who retired from international duty following the tournament in Qatar.
Rennes shot-stopper Brice Samba and Lens prospect Robin Risser will serve as the 30-year-old’s deputies.
West Ham United’s Alphonse Areola is a notable omission from the travelling party.
Midfield blend of youth and experience
Veteran holding player N’Golo Kante returns for what is likely his final appearance at a major international tournament.
The former Chelsea man is joined by seasoned campaigner Adrien Rabiot.
Real Madrid engine Aurelien Tchouameni is expected to anchor the side despite recent training ground controversies at his club.
Deschamps has also placed faith in emerging talent, calling up exciting youngsters Manu Kone and Warren Zaire-Emery.
Tottenham Hotspur loanee Randal Kolo Muani has reached an agreement in principle to join Juventus this summer after struggling to impress manager Roberto De Zerbi.
The French international is currently spending the season in north London but is expected to depart following a disappointing domestic campaign.
Reports from Italy indicate the 27-year-old has already settled on terms for a permanent return to Turin following a previous successful loan spell with the Serie A club.
Relegation fears and squad rebuild
Spurs are currently embroiled in a tense Premier League relegation battle alongside West Ham United and desperately need four points from their final two fixtures to ensure survival.
A crucial trip to St James’ Park against Newcastle United awaits on Sunday, followed by a daunting London derby against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Regardless of which division the club competes in next season, a significant overhaul of the playing squad is anticipated to prevent a repeat of this year’s struggles.
De Zerbi seeks alternative attacking options
The former Paris St-Germain forward has managed just one goal and a solitary assist in 28 league appearances this term.
Despite starting all five matches since De Zerbi took charge, the lightning-fast striker has failed to show enough consistency to secure a full-time contract.
The Italian head coach has openly expressed a desire to permanently sign fellow loanee Joao Palhinha but remains unconvinced by his current forward line.
First-team opportunities for the Frenchman may have been severely limited had key playmakers such as James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski been fully fit.