Villa's nearly men entering their defining moment

Villa's wretched 2-1 home defeat by Tottenham on Sunday - a third consecutive loss - did not give them the ideal platform, even if Emery made eight changes. It underlined the lack of depth within the squad, with Emi Martinez, Matty Cash, Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers viewed as the only first-choice starters in Sunday's XI. Emery, though, has earned admiration from at least two fellow Premier League managers who have been privately impressed with the decisions he made - a clear focus on his biggest game at the club - and how he stuck to the strategy. He has won the Europa League a record four times - three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal - and with minds focused those close to Emery expect to see a different performance to Sunday's surrender. "We are improving, including myself, and we will have more challenges to set for the present or future," said Emery, when asked if this is the last chance for this squad to win something. "I don't think tomorrow is the last opportunity for us or anyone. The players are enjoying the process we are doing and they are aware about how difficult football is, and this is the greatest moment we are having in the last three years. "It will break nothing about how we are thinking and trying to improve." Even if Emery believes they can push for honours beyond this season and with Champions League football - Villa should finish in the Premier League's top five regardless of their European fate - changes are expected. …