Unai Emery makes Chelsea admission after Man United claim - 'we expected it'

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery made a bold claim after finding out about on Friday. Marc Cucurella scored the all important goal for the Blues late in the second half as he headed past Andre Onana to inflict an 18th Premier League defeat of the season on the Red Devils and boost his side's Champions League aspirations.

United had thought they'd scored first in the tie when Harry Maguire guided home a Bruno Fernandes cross, only for . But it ended 1-0 at Stamford Bridge as Enzo Maresca made a huge stride towards sealing a place at for next season.

A result an opposition manager 'expected'. Emery, who's Villa side made their own inroads towards Europe following a 2-0 success over , spoke about the result in his post-match press conference.

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The Spaniard was looking at his mobile phone to find out how both sides got on during his chat with the media: "How's it going with Chelsea?," he asked. "Finished 1-0, okay we expected it" followed by a cheeky grin and a laugh.

"It's not in our hands, we are winning but they are as well, they are getting points. But of course, the Champions League positions are important and we are in the race."

Chelsea are competing with Villa, as well as Arsenal, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest, for the four remaining Champions League positions, with Premier League winners Liverpool already booking their spot. Luckily it's all in the Blues' hands with one domestic league fixture remaining: Forest away on May 25.

They currently sit in fourth position on 66 points, ahead of Villa and behind Newcastle on goal difference. A win would surely seal a European tour for the Blues faithful due to their far superior goal difference (+20 compared to Villa's +9).