2026-04-09 10:41:40
Unai Emery feels that Aston Villa’s illustrious European history gives the club a “responsibility” to succeed in the Europa League.
Villa travel to Serie A side Bologna for the first leg of their quarter-final tie on Thursday (09.04.26) and the coach wants his players to emulate the club’s famous European Cup victory of 1982.
Emery said: “Aston Villa’s history is a massive history in a lot of things. One remarkable moment was when Aston Villa won the European Cup. It is something that makes us responsible, and makes us feel that we are in a club that was successful in Europe.
“Individually, I’m feeling comfortable during the years and thankful for the teams I was coaching with the possibility to win this title or in the Champions League or Conference League.
“Each moment is a different challenge. Everything we did before is done and to do it again is the challenge we have. Every day with the players and with Villa is to build something for the history of the club.
“To win in Europe is very, very difficult.”
Emery is a four-time Europa League winner and urged Villa to “respect” the competition if they are to go all the way in the tournament.
The Spanish manager said: “You must respect this competition. Because if you are not respecting the competition, if you are not focusing 100 per cent, you are close to being out. And I have a lot of experiences with these situations.”
Emery is also ready for a raucous atmosphere at the home of the Italian outfit.
He said: “The supporters are always so important and they will create a great atmosphere here, which will be fantastic for them.
“For us, it’s going to be very difficult. Every experience we are having in Europe, playing away, is more difficult than playing at home. And tomorrow we will need to be sure of our resilience when they are trying to play intensely with the ball or without the ball to try to stop us. We must be ready to play, and try to hear the voices of our supporters in the ground.”
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