It has been a week to forget for Aston Villa and Unai Emery!
The defeat to Manchester City in midweek was expected, especially when so many starting players were missing through injury, suspension and illness.
But to still concede four goals and then to back it up by dropping points at home to Brentford on Saturday is just criminal – Ollie Watkins certainly wasn’t a happy bunny.
What makes matters worse is that Aston Villa were 2-0 up, and playing against a team that is struggling near the bottom of the table, so there aren’t any excuses.
Emmanuel Petit shared his thoughts on the situation and claimed that the Midlands side ‘lost the plot’ against the Bees, as he told MatchDay Extra on Premier League Productions (06/04/24 at 8:40 pm).
The legendary midfielder also proceeded to compare this Aston Villa team to Arsenal last season when they crumbled in the Premier League title race.
Arsenal had a much bigger lead than the one Villa have had in recent weeks, but the London club still faltered when it mattered most.
Petit feels he is seeing the same signs with Emery’s side now because they are now feeling the pressure on their shoulders, as they bid to secure fourth spot in the Premier League table.
Aston Villa 3-3 Brentford
“If I can make a silly comparison that reminds me of Arsenal last season,” said Petit. “The same stage. The last line and the last few games of the season, you have been paid at the end for what you have done all season.
“They are fighting with Spurs for the Champions League spot, then all of sudden, they are losing points easily and making so many mistakes. When you look at the goals, there is no communication, there is no concentration and you are leading the score 2-0. You can’t lose points like this.
“Okay, you playing against a team fighting relegation and are missing some players as well and, on top of it, you are losing points easily. You lost the plot mentality as well. The pressure they feel on their shoulder since the past few weeks, they can’t endure it. It’s normal because no one expected Aston Villa to stage at this level this season.”
Aston Villa’s response
One thing Villa have done very well this season is not lose back-to-back games, as well as responding very well to setbacks.
That weekend game is certainly a setback and it’s another chance for the team to stick their chest out and respond.
It’s the small matter of facing Lille in the Europa Conference League quarter-final first-leg, before taking on Arsenal at the weekend.
A win against the French side and a point at the Emirates would be accepted by those in Claret and Blue, with the team more than capable of achieving it.
