Unai Emery calls for united front after Aston Villa collapse to defeat at Wolves

Villa became just the second team to lose to Wolves in the Premier League this season after collapsing to a chastening 2-0 loss at Molineux.

Emery, who wore a face like thunder at the final whistle, tried to strike a positive tone in his post-match press conference, admitting he had been dreaming of a title challenge as recently as a month ago when Villa were on the heels of Arsenal and Manchester City.

But they now face a battle to maintain their top-five position, with crucial matches against Chelsea and Manchester United next on the agenda.

Chelsea, who could cut the gap to third-placed Villa to three points if they beat Arsenal on Sunday, visit Emery’s men next week.

The boss said: “We are doing a great season, a great season, and this is the moment I want to tell our supporters, now we need the supporters. 

“We need the energy, we are grateful for them being with us, but again playing in Villa Park on Wednesday, we need again their help and we need to be together. 

“The players, coaches, supporters, everybody, because the season is being fantastic.”

Friday continued Villa and Emery’s rotten recent record at Molineux, where they are now winless in five visits.

Emery has also failed to win in the same number of visits to the venue with both Villa and Arsenal.

Villa’s season has been a story of extraordinary highs and lows. After failing to win any of their first five matches, they reeled off 11 straight wins in all competitions to surge into title contention.

Their recent run has raised fears of missing out on the Champions League for a second straight season but Emery is calling for perspective.

"Our expectation at the beginning of the season, we were over this for the last three months. Maybe now we are a little worse than two months ago," he said.

"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.

"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.

"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."