Emery targets title and Champions League next
Unai Emery has his sights set on winning the Premier League or UEFA Champions League with Aston Villa after securing a top-four finish earlier this week.
Fifth-place Tottenham Hotspur's defeat to title-chasing Manchester City on Wednesday (AEST) meant Villa will play in Europe's premier club competition next season for the first time in 41 years.
Emery's side will conclude a memorable season – in which it also reached the UEFA Europa Conference League semi-finals – away at Crystal Palace on the final day.
The Spaniard is already focused on achieving bigger and better things with Villa.
"It really was amazing when the [Tottenham v Manchester City] match finished," he smiled. "At the beginning of the season, it was really a dream. Of course, we worked hard to try to be there.
"I want to get better, and I have my dreams, and I believe in my dreams. Of course, my objectives are to win the Premier League or the [UEFA] Champions League. We are not contenders, but it is our dream to achieve something like that."
Meanwhile, Palace has enjoyed a strong finish to the season, winning five of its past six games.
The Eagles could seal a top-half finish with a victory – and other results going their way – and coach Oliver Glasner has urged his players to use that as inspiration at Selhurst Park.
"I'm pleased with the performances we've had," he said. "We want to win. We always focus on what we can influence. If we don't do our job, we don't win, we can't be 10th. It's good motivation at home to say thank you to the fans."
Villa has only won once in the 25 occasions it has finished a league campaign with an away game, drawing seven and losing 17.
That sole victory came against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in 2001-2002.
But Villa is unbeaten in its past 10 Premier League away games in London, winning five out of six this term.
With 16 such points this season, a win or draw at Selhurst Park would set a new Premier League record for the most achieved during a single campaign.
But it is not since its title-winning season of 1980-1981 that Villa completed a league double over Palace.