sport news Unai Emery will clock up his 1000th game in charge against Lille and Aston ... trends now

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Unai Emery on Thursday clocks up 1,000 games as a manager but he will need all his qualities to ensure he is celebrating after the 1,010th.

Emery’s work in elevating Aston Villa to Champions League contenders, while battling to win a first European crown for 42 years, has been outstanding. 

If they get the better of Lille at Villa Park and avoid defeat in France next week, Emery will be three games from lifting the Europa Conference League trophy – potentially his fifth continental title.

Yet in recent weeks, Villa have shown signs of running out of steam.

Last Saturday’s 3-3 draw with Brentford at Villa Park allowed Tottenham to jump above them into fourth place and both will be hoping desperately that five clubs – rather than the usual four – qualify for the Champions League next term.