Soccer-Emery urges Villa to recover energy in battle for Champions League spot

Soccer Football - Premier League - Brighton & Hove Albion v Aston Villa - The American Express Community Stadium, Brighton, Britain - May 5, 2024 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts REUTERS/Tony Obrien

BRIGHTON, England (Reuters) - Aston Villa boss Unai Emery urged his side to put aside a tough week for the Premier League club where back-to-back defeats could potentially hurt their chances in Europe this season as well as next.

Villa lost 4-2 at home to Olympiakos in the first leg of their Europa Conference League semi-final on Thursday while Sunday's 1-0 league loss at Brighton & Hove Albion failed to put some distance between Emery's side and Tottenham Hotspur.