Remember when there were question marks over Aston Villa's ability to juggle their European commitments and compete for another top seven finish this season?

Perhaps due to West Ham's league struggles last term, the general consensus from the outside was that Villa's Premier League form would dip under Unai Emery, but nobody could give a valid reason why. In fact, all the data suggested the opposite would happen. And it has.

After setting a record of 25 top-flight victories this calendar year with a total tally of 85 points in 2023, bettered only by Manchester City's 93, Villa saw in the New Year joint-top of the Premier League table. Those lazy presumptions aimed at Villa were disproven inside the first months of the season. After all, this is the 16th consecutive season Emery has managed in Europe and he is one of the seven managers who have won four or more European trophies in history. He's been there and done it.

Doubts over Villa's Premier League form came before Tyrone Mings and Emi Buendia - who were named together in the starting XI for all but one of Emery's 25 league games last term - suffered ACL injuries back in August. Boubacar Kamara then became the third Villa star to suffer knee ligament damage back in January and he'll be missing until September at the earliest.

Another key player behind Villa's turnaround under Emery last season was Jacob Ramsey, but he has only started eight league matches this term and won't feature in the run-in after being ruled out due to a foot injury. The 22-year-old's issues began before pre-season even started, while Alex Moreno also missed the club's preparations for the campaign through a hamstring injury sustained back in May.

Throughout the campaign, Pau Torres, Youri Tielemans, Diego Carlos, Lucas Digne, Matty Cash, Jhon Duran and Tim Iroegbunam have all missed four or more league games due to injuries. So, considering the concerns many had over Villa's ability to compete domestically as they also target Europa Conference League glory, the problems Emery has had to deal with in the season must've banked him even more credit? Put it this way, the answer won't surprise Villa fans.

"Aston Villa aims to be a no-excuse club and we have to deliver our best every match," Emery said in the AV News & Record. "We know we're not unbeatable, but we also know that if we train and we play to our maximum effort and are fully focused, we can win against any team.

"I am proud of every player that I have. A schedule with plenty of crucial matches is coming up and we need everyone that wants to help.

"Every footballer in my squad has my full support and appreciation. I believe in this team. As long as a player wears our colours and our badge, they are one of our own. And also every one of them must take the responsibility of working hard and be dedicated, like me as a coach and my staff.

"So, for me, it is a matter of being self-demanding. Do our best always and try to get better and better. That is required to be a top team and that is what it means to have a winning mentality. That's why I say it is time to improve.

"And don't forget our players need your support. Like we will need all the players over the next few matches, we also need to be together with our fans."

Reading the standings will only tell you half of the story of what an incredible job Emery has performed this campaign. Villa have already banked a top five finish and Europa League qualification after drawing with Chelsea on Saturday night, meaning the club finishes above Manchester United for the first time in Premier League history. Their top four battle with Tottenham will likely go to the wire.

Tottenham's injury woes at the start of the season were well-documented, but they didn't play in European competition this term and have a deeper squad than Villa's. Generally, there is more media spotlight on the 'big six', but without complaints from Emery regarding the issues he has faced this season, little has been said about just how impressive this campaign has been whether Villa secure their place in UEFA's elite club competition or not.

Emery wants to play more games so he will not be entertaining the idea that the club's European exploits are a disadvantage in the race for the top four. Plus, never will Emery use refereeing decisions as excuses for dropped points or has he ever publicly criticised VAR as if to promote that there is an agenda against his side.

Building the no-excuses culture marries up with another key principle of his management style, playing without pressure. It's easier said than done at this stage in a season, but the Villa boss equips his players with all the knowledge they need to overcome their next challenge.

Feeling pressure is normal when the stakes are high, but Emery will ensure his players are focused on the job they have in hand rather than looking too far ahead. It worked last season when Villa had to take at least seven points from their final three games against Tottenham, Liverpool and Brighton. Emery tells his players that pressure is a privilege to attack an opportunity.

“Entering a crucial stage of the season, every single match starts to be felt in our dressing room, as also in our stands, as a very special match," Emery added.

“I don’t like the word pressure. Pressure, for instance, is what the teams are feeling to avoid relegation or even, in everyday life, the real pressure is what every family feels to get income to raise a family.

“We don’t have pressure. We have an opportunity. It really is beautiful to play for a place among the best teams in the most difficult league in the world. Like a dream that is coming true. Let’s keep dreaming together. And let’s play some good football too.”