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Villa Must Avoid Newcastle’s Fall from Top Four Fate, Boss Emery Says

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Aston Villa - London Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2024 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Aston Villa - London Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2024 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts. (Reuters)
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Villa Must Avoid Newcastle’s Fall from Top Four Fate, Boss Emery Says

Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Aston Villa - London Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2024 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts. (Reuters)
Soccer Football - Premier League - West Ham United v Aston Villa - London Stadium, London, Britain - August 17, 2024 Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts. (Reuters)

Aston Villa must learn from Newcastle United's past struggles after their Champions League qualification and focus on closing the gap at the top of the Premier League standings, manager Unai Emery said ahead of Saturday's home game against Arsenal.

Villa started their league season with a 2-1 victory at West Ham United last weekend. They finished fourth last season, which means they will compete in the Champions League this year.

Newcastle secured a top-four finish two seasons ago, but the next year Eddie Howe´s squad slipped to seventh place and missed out on European competition, as Manchester United´s FA Cup victory secured the final European spot.

"Last year Newcastle were playing in the Champions League, two years ago they were in the top four, but they didn’t get it last year for different reasons," the Spaniard told reporters.

"We want to avoid some circumstances that could lead us the same way like Newcastle or other teams in the past."

The increased number of matches could impact Villa's performance in this campaign, and Emery said Villa aim to secure a European berth again this season.

"This is our challenge, to keep the same structure and idea, being strong to be a contender ourselves to be in the top seven, top five or top four," the Villa manager added.

"Because our objective of course is to be in Europe regularly, consistently, and if we are in the Champions League we can achieve our dreams again."

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Draper Beats Rune at Indian Wells for a First Masters 1000 Title and a Top-10 Debut

Jack Draper of Great Britain poses with the championship trophy after defeating Holger Rune of Denmark following the men's singles final match of the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, USA, 16 March 2025. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO
Jack Draper of Great Britain poses with the championship trophy after defeating Holger Rune of Denmark following the men's singles final match of the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, USA, 16 March 2025. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO
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Draper Beats Rune at Indian Wells for a First Masters 1000 Title and a Top-10 Debut

Jack Draper of Great Britain poses with the championship trophy after defeating Holger Rune of Denmark following the men's singles final match of the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, USA, 16 March 2025. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO
Jack Draper of Great Britain poses with the championship trophy after defeating Holger Rune of Denmark following the men's singles final match of the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, USA, 16 March 2025. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO

Jack Draper overwhelmed Holger Rune 6-2, 6-2 in a little more than an hour in the final of the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday, achieving two big milestones by claiming his first Masters 1000 title and earning his debut in the top 10 of the ATP rankings.
Draper, a 23-year-old from Britain who was seeded 13th at the hard-court tournament in the California desert, built up a 21-7 advantage in winners against Rune while also making fewer unforced errors, The Associated Press reported.
Draper's left-handed serve was particularly important: He hit 10 aces, won 21 of his 23 first-serve points and never allowed Rune to earn a single break point.
“You never know when it's your time,” said Draper, a US Open semifinalist in September. “I lost first round here last year, so I didn't get to experience the tournament too much. ... But I'd say this is one of my favorite tournaments now, of course.”
He will rise from No. 14 to a career-high No. 7 in the rankings on Monday.
“I feel,” Draper said, “like I deserve it.”
Earlier Sunday, 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva of Russia collected her second consecutive Masters 1000 title by getting past No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Rune is a 21-year-old from Denmark who was seeded 12th at Indian Wells.
Their matchup was the first ATP Masters 1000 final anywhere between two men born in the 2000s and the first at Indian Wells between two aged 23 or younger since Rafael Nadal, 22, beat Andy Murray, 21, in 2009.
“Tough day for me, but I have to start with congratulating Jack,” Rune said. “You've been showing some incredible tennis and, for sure, you deserved to win today.”
Draper got to the final by eliminating two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals on Friday.
“I wasn’t expecting this. I put in a lot of work over time," Draper said. "I’m just so grateful and so happy to ... be able to play, my body feeling healthy and to feel great in the mind.”