Aston Villa need to forget about Old Trafford heartbreak

Aston Villa return to the scene of last season’s heartbreak.

May’s final day defeat at Manchester United denied them a return to the Champions League which would have eased a number of their financial issues.

Emi Martinez’s red card, Morgan Rogers’ controversial disallowed goal and two late United goals dealt a cruel late blow.

Now they head to Old Trafford on Sunday needing victory to get their faltering Champions League challenge back on track.

Thursday’s 1-0 Europa League win at Lille gave Villa the edge in their last-16 tie but there is no escaping the Premier League form.

Two wins in their last nine games has seen United overtake them and left Chelsea just three points behind in fifth, following the Blues’ 4-1 win at Villa Park earlier this month.

Villa are still in a strong position – and John McGinn’s return from injury on Thursday is a further boost – but the need to regain composure in the league is increasingly vital.

“It was such an emotional match,” said Emery, recalling last May. “In losing, our emotions were bad. When we are losing we must learn how we are playing, how we are responding.

“The referees’ mistake [in disallowing Rogers’ goal] was very important, sometimes it’s not in our hands. We are ready and motivated. We are in the Premier League fighting for the top position.”