Unai Emery conceded Aston Villa “lost a very good opportunity” after defeat against Everton, but he called for a sense of perspective after his side missed their chance to return to second in the Premier League.

Villa are seven points behind the leaders Arsenal and level on points with Manchester City, with all three teams dropping points in the title race over the weekend; City lost against their rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford, and Arsenal were held to a draw at Nottingham Forest.

Emery alluded to the bigger picture after Thierno Barry’s goal secured victory for David Moyes’s side at Villa Park. Villa face Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday hoping to secure their place in the round of 16 before a trip to Newcastle.

“We are doing a fantastic season,” Emery insisted. “When we played at Everton [in September], we drew and we were worse than now.

“Of course, today we lost a very good opportunity and we are in front of other teams who are competing to be in the position we are. We lost the opportunity to be second in the league, something really fantastic. But after feeling our frustration at losing this match,...