Villa latest: Emery labels Fulham defeat 'good opportunity lost'

Unai Emery was left frustrated as Aston Villa's Champions League ambitions suffered a significant setback with a home defeat to Fulham. The Spanish manager labelled the loss as a 'good opportunity lost' for his side, who are fighting tooth and nail for a top-four finish in the Premier League. The defeat comes at a crucial time in the season, with Villa looking to secure their place in European competition for next term. 'We had a good opportunity and we didn't take it,' Emery said in his post-match press conference. 'The performance was not at the level we needed to compete and get the three points. We must analyze this and move forward quickly.' The Villans have been one of the stories of the season under Emery, but this result leaves them with work to do in the remaining fixtures. Fulham's victory was built on defensive solidity and clinical finishing, with their key players stepping up when it mattered most. The Cottagers have now climbed to within touching distance of the European places themselves, making this result even more damaging for Villa's aspirations. With the race for Champions League qualification intensifying, Villa will need to quickly put this disappointment behind them and refocus on their remaining matches.

Watch the highlights: