Diaby: One Moustake will not ruin our season
FOCUS SWITCHES TO CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
MOUSSA DIABY reckons one bad night won’t define Aston Villa’s season as he turns his sights towards his personal goal.
Villa’s club record £51.7million signing was left reeling after Thursday’s Europa Conference League disappointment against Olympiakos.
The France international played a starring role but could not prevent his side from slipping to a shock 4-2 defeat at Villa Park in the first leg of their semi-final.
Villa can secure Champions League football for the first time in their history today.
Three points at the Amex – along with defeat for Tottenham at Anfield – will confirm the club’s qualification for European football’s elite competition.
Diaby said: “We have a great thing to aim for – we cannot bin all our performances this season because of one bad night.
“But Tottenham losing to Chelsea means that it’s OK.
“We’re doing well in the Premier League – I am close to my objective.
“When I signed last summer it was to help the team reach the Champions League and we still have this opportunity.”
Villa’s defeat last Thursday means the double that boss Unai Emery is aiming for – Champions League qualification and success in the Europa Conference League – is more difficult.
Olympiakos were drafted into the Conference
League after losing out in the Europa League and it is a big ask to claw back a two-goal deficit.
Scoring first will be crucial – and Diaby hasn’t given up hope of the double being secured.
He added: “With the way we played 2-2 would have been a good result for us.
“We missed a penalty, too. But football is like this. Sometimes you score, sometimes you don’t. “We’ll go there and fight next week – I know this team can score a lot of goals.
“We had a tough night. We played a good team but conceded two goals too early.
“We didn’t control the game like we usually do. But I believe in this team. We’ll be fighting to reach the final.”
Emery will be holding a rollcall ahead of the game. Villa have an extensive injury list.
Youri Tielemans has been missed with a hamstring issue but of more immediate concern is the absence of Emi Martinez.
The Argentine keeper was substituted during the 2-2 draw with Chelsea last week and suspended for the first leg against Olympiakos.
Emery said: “If he feels comfortable and without risk, he could be available. One day is very important to some players – and one of them is Emiliano.”
He added: “Our motivation is high because we’re fourth. This is a big opportunity to move closer to our first objective in the Premier League.”