"I will need tomorrow to take my day off and recover," said Unai Emery after Aston Villa's 4-3 win over Sunderland. It came as surprising news to anyone who has watched and listened to him over three years – Emery, the perpetual-motion football manager, takes days off now?
He could hardly be begrudged one after seeing his team lose control of a game they had largely commanded, and then struggle to summon the energy to restore their position, or even avoid losing it entirely.
The Libero football podcast suggested this week that the freewheeling nature of the match was the product of both teams having essentially met their targets for this season, that pressure removed. That theory fits the material evidence, and after Chelsea’s defeat on Saturday night, Villa’s top-five status must have seemed from afar to be assured.
But the manic response in the stadium to his side's third goal to make it 3-2 – on the pitch, in the stands and particularly the technical area – told of something else.
Last May, Villa fumbled a Champions League place in the final game and have had to juggle the financial consequences since then. Missing it again, especially with the time approaching when the dependable core of their squad will finally need an update, would make a definite difference to their next steps. They are built to reach the Champions League and need to be there. You can expect Unai Emery to be along on this page in a couple of days' time to tell you they are not there yet.
Even if, or when, that spot is secured, the next year will still have a wide range of possible outcomes.
A Champions League campaign would put a Villa squad, still being carefully managed to avoid serious breaches of the financial regulations, under more strain. Like Newcastle a year ago, Villa are set for a second appearance in three seasons in Europe’s biggest tournament, but Newcastle’s difficulties this campaign are a clear example of how difficult it is to develop from occasional to regular Champions League status.
As the core of Villa's squad grows gracefully older together, having more hits than misses from their transfer dealings will be essential.
These are all challenges to which some minds at Villa are already fully tuned, no doubt with input also from Emery himself. But while Sunday's Hollywood-ready finish brought Villa's prime target that much closer, it reminded us that the long-term goals and grand plans are only part of the story.
The real joy, that Emery, the players and their fans all felt together, is in the thrill of the chase.
Listen to full commentary of Fulham v Aston Villa at 12.30pm on Saturday on BBC Radio WM [95.6FM]
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