“We’re in the running,” says Emery

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says his side are “in the running for the second half of the season” after a 2-2 draw at home to Brighton.

Goals from Ollie Watkins and Morgan Rogers put Villa in front but a fine low shot from Tariq Lamptey secured a point for the Seagulls.

It means Villa enter 2025 in ninth place, but just six points off the top four.

Your support has been sensational throughout 2024, thank you Villans 💜 pic.twitter.com/QW6oXZJHAU

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOofficial) December 30, 2024

Emery said: “I have to accept the result but I’m a bit frustrated with it. The table is very tight but we’re in the running for the second half of the season.

“We are ninth in the table and we have to try to start again against Leicester. We finish the first part of the season with 29 points, not the best but not the worst.

“This league is very tight and we have to try to improve and correct because we are conceding a lot of goals. We started the second half perfectly when it came to scoring goals and creating chances. We created enough chances to score and win the game.”

Torres injury

Villa lost defender Pau Torres to injury after just 20 minutes, with Emery worried the Spaniard could break his foot.

“I don’t think it’s a big injury, but I think maybe he broke his metatarsal,” Emery said.

“We have players to replace him, but it is very important. Tomorrow he will confirm the injury he has.”