When Unai Emery was unveiled as Aston Villa’s manager, he declared his ambition to win trophies. While that goal remains unfulfilled nearly two years on, the scale of the challenge has only become clearer, though it is a reality the head coach embraces.
“If we are complaining about working hard, we are not on the right path,” Emery stated.
Since succeeding Steven Gerrard in October 2022—when Villa were just three points above the relegation zone—Emery has dramatically raised standards and expectations. He has guided the team to successive European qualifications, culminating in a fourth-place finish last season that secured a coveted Champions League spot.
Despite this success, the former Villarreal boss remains pragmatic about the club’s financial standing, positioning Villa as an underdog against the league’s economic powerhouses.
“We do not have the same capacity as Liverpool, Manchester United, Tottenham, Newcastle, Manchester City, Chelsea, or Arsenal,” Emery acknowledged. “But we have our own power, and we have to be positive and work hard. You have to be intelligent against other teams who have more options. We must be proud of how we are building and being competitive.”
The pursuit of silverware has brought recent heartbreak, most notably a stinging defeat to Olympiakos in the semi-finals of last season’s Europa Conference League. As they prepare for a tough season opener against Newcastle—a key rival in the hunt for European places—Emery is focused on building greater consistency.
“We are thinking about how we performed last year and trying to learn and avoid some mistakes,” he explained. “We were not as competitive as I want for the first part of the season. How we finished the second part was amazing… This is something we have to carry through the entire season.”
With four Europa League titles to his name, Emery’s tactical acumen and proven ability to outmanoeuvre wealthier rivals remain Aston Villa’s greatest asset in their ambitious pursuit.
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