Emery prioritising Premier League after thrilling victory over Arsenal

Unai Emery revealed that his Aston Villa side are prioritising the Premier League this season after they closed the gap on leaders Arsenal.

Emiliano Buendia scored a 95th-minute winner at Villa Park to condemn the Gunners to just their second defeat of the season, moving within three points of Mikel Arteta's side.

Villa have won nine of their last 10 Premier League games (L1), the first time they have had as many as nine wins in a 10-game spell in the top-flight since December 1919.

The Villans are also unbeaten in all three of their Premier League home games against sides starting the day top of the table under Emery (W2 D1), with both victories coming against Arsenal (also December 2023).

Emery was delighted with how his side played against Arsenal, and also praised the fans for their impact.

"So happy. We finished this week really playing like we need to – competing, demanding ourselves, adapting to the opponent and playing with personality," Emery told TNT Sports.

"Dominating sometimes and getting in the box, being intense and aggressive when we needed. Villa Park is special; the supporters transmit the energy to us. How they responded is fantastic.

"We are going to focus game by game. We know our only way is if we are trying to focus on each competition. Europa League, we want to play well, but Premier League is our first priority. We have to respond like we did it today."

At 94:03, Buendia's strike for Villa was the second-latest winning goal scored against Arsenal on record (since 2006-07) in the Premier League after Neal Maupay's winner for Brighton in June 2020 (94:26).

He told BBC Match of the Day: "Incredible, the feeling to score that goal and help the team get the win, an important win against the table leaders.

"Really proud to help the team and score that goal. Very happy.

"It shows the character of the teams in this league. They did well to try to block the shot with three players on the floor. I saw the space and had the opportunity; really happy.

"We have to keep doing our job and stay focused on ourselves, and prepare every game. The season is long, and we need to work hard, game by game. Every match is difficult, and we have to keep this mentality until the end."