2026-04-16 12:02:27
Unai Emery knows that Aston Villa’s Europa League tie with Bologna “isn’t done”.
Villa hold a commanding 3-1 lead heading into Thursday’s (16.04.26) quarter-final second leg but the coach has warned his players that they will be in for a “very difficult match” against their Italian opponents at Villa Park.
Emery told TNT Sports: “We know the tie isn’t done. We respect the match and our opponents. I expect a very difficult match.
“We are happy with how we’ve responded to moments all season where we’ve not had the confidence or not had good results. We’ve recovered our good mood in every moment when we haven’t had momentum.
“Each match is a challenge and Europe has given us a lot. It’s given me a lot in my career as a manager, whether that be the Champions League, Europa League or the Conference League.
“We’ve learned how to compete in different competitions, getting to the semi-finals of the Conference League against Olympiakos and then the quarter-finals of the Champions League against PSG last year.
“Bologna is still a huge test for us and Europe is something which has always been very important for me in my career. I’ve had 18 years in a row playing in Europe and I’m so proud of this achievement.”
Villa are chasing a first trophy for 30 years and also look well-placed to qualify for next season’s Champions League, leading Emery to state that he doesn’t want the campaign to finish.
The Spanish manager said: “When I arrived here at Aston Villa, they were not playing in Europe. The capacity we have to develop here and being among the top positions for three years in the Premier League, we are keeping the level of what we’re achieving – and I want to keep it that way for a long time.
“It’s something we must be proud of and enjoy with our supporters. I expect a huge atmosphere at Villa Park to help us.
“The players must transmit their energy. We don’t want the season to finish. I was struggling in September and we were wishing for it to end but we are recovering players and getting better. I don’t want to finish the season.”
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