Unai Emery makes concerning Man Utd claim after Aston Villa defeat at Wolves

Emery saw his side fall to a miserable defeat on Friday night (Picture: Getty)

Unai Emery has admitted Aston Villa are now in a fight to remain in the top five ahead of Manchester United , Chelsea and Liverpool after their woeful defeat to Wolves .

Villa fell to a 2-0 defeat at Molineux on Friday night with the manager storming down the tunnel before the final whistle after Rodrigo Gomes sealed all three points for the hosts deep in injury time.

They have now won just three of their last 10 Premier League games and while they are clinging onto third place, hopes of a title shot have faded.

On 3 January, they were Arsenal ’s nearest rivals at the top, sat in second place just six points behind the Gunners. The gap is now 10 points with Villa now looking over their shoulder at the teams behind them.

United can leapfrog them into third this weekend if they beat Crystal Palace on Sunday while Chelsea and Liverpool head into their weekend fixtures just six points behind.

Speaking after the game, Emery admitted Villa have been dragged into a battle for a top five finish and Champions League qualification.

‘We are losing the opportunity to win the title in the Premier League, two months ago we were competing with Arsenal and Manchester City, you were asking me about it,’ Emery said.

United building serious momentum under Carrick (Picture: Getty)

‘Someone, even myself, may say “maybe we can”. Some supporters, maybe they were dreaming it. Now we are not with the possibility to fight for the Premier League, some can feel frustrated, even myself because I have my dreams.

‘In September I was worried and the objective was to stay in the Premier League. In December I was so happy and excited to get the top-five position and achieve the Champions League.

@metrosportuk Man United will finish THIRD this season! 😳 Manchester United are the only Premier League side unbeaten in 2026, and now sit three points clear of both Chelsea and Liverpool. So the big question is: can they finish above them, and even push for third place? #manchesterunited #footballnews #cheslea #liverpool #premierleague ♬ original sound – Metro Sport – Metro Sport

‘One month ago I was dreaming about maybe winning the Premier League. Now we are in the average to be in the top five.

‘Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester United, they are trying to get to us, for them it is a priority to get into the Champions League.’