Unai Emery Voices Villa Park Worry Following Leeds United Stalemate
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has openly expressed his concern over his team's faltering home form, despite securing a dramatic late draw against Leeds United. The Spanish tactician finds it difficult to pinpoint the exact reasons behind Villa's recent struggles at Villa Park, a venue that has historically been a fortress for the club.
Villa's Concerning Home Record Analyzed
Since a convincing 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest in early January, Aston Villa's performances at home have been underwhelming. The team has managed just one win in their last four Premier League matches at Villa Park, suffering defeats to Everton and Brentford, and narrowly beating Brighton & Hove Albion thanks to a fortunate Jack Hinshelwood own goal from a set piece.
This dip in form is particularly alarming for a side positioned in the upper echelons of the Premier League and widely considered favorites to secure Champions League qualification. Compounding the issue, the atmosphere at Villa Park has been notably flat for much of 2026, lacking the electric energy that has previously propelled the team to success.
Emery's Two-Pronged Assessment of the Situation
Following the 1-1 draw with Leeds, where Tammy Abraham's 88th-minute equalizer rescued a point after a frustrating afternoon, Emery provided a nuanced analysis to the media. "We can see it in two ways. One way, losing two points at home," Emery began. "We felt strong here, and it was hard to get points here, even the best teams like Arsenal and Manchester City - we beat them. Now, four matches at home, we only beat Brighton."
He elaborated on the match itself, stating, "Today, the match we played, more or less, we planned the first half how they competed and performed. They played through their competitive way, idea and style. They understood what they needed to do. Everything that happened in the first half we expected."
Despite the challenges, Emery chose to focus on the positive outcome. "We were losing, and we had to try to be positive. The second half changed because they defended lower. We scored in the 88th minute - this is a fantastic point. It is a good point. A good point. Keep going forward to improve things, getting confidence progressively in matches and in training. We need to try to understand how we are and why we are like we are."
The Critical Mission to Restore Villa Park's Fortress Status
Villa Park's reputation as an impenetrable stronghold has been a cornerstone of Aston Villa's success in recent seasons, playing a pivotal role in their consecutive qualifications for European competition. However, at this crucial juncture in the Premier League campaign, that formidable aura is showing signs of wear.
Emery is adamant that regaining focus is essential to reversing this trend. "We need to work hard like we always did," he asserted. "We are third, and it is very good for us. Our objective is clear - focusing on each match. The next step forward is against Wolverhampton."
The manager reflected on the team's current state compared to past performances. "Sometimes we performed like now and were still winning. Maybe we were more clinical or our energy is full. Now, we are trying to recover energy and our mood. I am happy with how we are reacting. Before, we had bad results against Brentford and Everton. Everything that happened, we are trying to understand and correct it."
Looking ahead, Emery emphasized the importance of rebuilding confidence and motivation. "We are trying to focus on how we can improve and get better with confidence, feeling more comfortable. We have to be motivated about how we are in the table." The mission to reclaim Villa Park's intimidating atmosphere and winning ways is now a top priority as the season reaches its climax.
