Europa League remains Villa's 'insurance policy'
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In a deliciously awkward post-match moment at Old Trafford, Unai Emery deployed a classic device to defuse a tricky question: another question.
Was he concerned about Villa's recent form? "Yes, but how we are in the league?" Fourth. "Yes. But the league is 38 matches. You were asking me two months ago whether we were favourite to win the title."
Emery sometimes seems to use the words "favourite" and "contender" almost interchangeably, but his point stood.
He is far too serious about his job to waste time thinking of clever rhetoric, but it is nevertheless a fair argument. He has also been entirely consistent, never drawn into overegging the excitement during Villa's strong run-up to Christmas.
"I told you, in that moment, we were fantastic," he went on. "Why? Because we are fighting against opponents, they are favourite to be in the top five, even top seven. Of course, to be there for the third year is really fantastic. But to keep it is the most difficult challenge we have, because they have the capacity like they are showing."
The sense of deflation apparent among Villa fans lately obscures that there are plenty of good chances left for them to claim a high finish. As noted on this page, the next six of their eight remaining league games are all against either strugglers or teams in mid-table comfort. Villa have failed in several similar games recently, but the fixtures ahead are no less favourable for that.
The longer view is that only one metric defines whether this campaign is a success or not: qualification for next season's Champions League. The key to breaking through the financial ceiling that Villa fans feel artificially limits their progress is a consistent presence in the biggest European competition.
Villa have always had two paths to that target, and so long as they remain in the Europa League there has been a back-up plan if their domestic form faltered. Villa were justifiable ante-post favourites to win a tournament in which Emery himself has an unimpeachable record.
While they were in the top three and well clear of the chasers, Europe could be thought of as an exciting bonus, and the importance of actually winning something must never be overlooked. But in the context of their stumble at home, that tournament remains Villa's insurance policy, and the shortest path to this season's ultimate target.
The structure of the tournament has meant it has not always felt like their European games have been played for the highest stakes. It will on Thursday.
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