Unai Emery has declared the Premier League Aston Villa's priority despite reaching the Europa League final. The Villans sealed their place in Istanbul with a 4-1 aggregate win over Nottingham Forest, where victory against Freiburg on 20 May would guarantee Champions League qualification. However, Emery insists the league remains the most reliable path to Europe's elite competition.

Villa currently sit fifth in the Premier League — the final Champions League spot — and the Spanish manager warned that losing the Europa League final would leave them with nothing. "If we are losing, we are not getting a trophy, we are not getting the Champions League position for the next year," Emery said, acknowledging his side's recent league form has been inconsistent.

Sunday's trip to Burnley represents a pivotal moment in Villa's season. "A huge opportunity to try to get the fifth position definitely," Emery declared, though tricky away games against Liverpool and Manchester City await afterward. With Champions League qualification now the clear objective, the Burnley match has taken on added significance.