Aston Villa manager Unai Emery does not believe they will have an issue in holding onto their best players.

The Midlands club's coach was asked if failing to qualify for Europe may lead to some stars departing.

However, Emery believes Villa are looking up and will only seek to improve their squad.

He told reporters: “Our idea is to get better next year with the players we have now and adding players who can improve the squad. It's not in my mind for players to leave if they're very important to us."

He then added on the fans being excited about the future: “Yes, yes. We have to be motivated, of course. We have to try to be excited and have a good balance, and be clinical in our decisions.

“Sometimes we can make mistakes but the first five months I am here, I think, we are being in good connection with the owners, the workers, the players and we are trying to practice a lot, feel confident and try to improve every day. The next step is Saturday, we deserve to play this match being one candidate to play in Europe next year. We can be optimistic."