Emery wants to turn Villa into European force

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Emery wants to turn Villa into European force

SPORTS 11.03.2025

Emery wants to turn Villa into European force / Photo: © AFP/File

Unai Emery says he wants to turn Aston Villa into consistent trophy contenders and regulars in Europe as he prepares his side for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Club Brugge.

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Villa have one foot in the quarter-finals after last week's 3-1 win in Belgium and they aim to finish the job at Villa Park on Wednesday.

It has been a dream return to Europe's top club competition after decades away for the 1982 continental champions but Emery is hungry for more, with a potential quarter-final tie looming against Liverpool or Paris Saint-Germain.

"To play in the Champions League has been fantastic, but my objective is to be consistent playing in Europe and the Champions League," the Spaniard said on Tuesday.

"Everything we are achieving is because we are in a new way. It's a new demand, starting from the owners, starting from the club, starting with everything we are trying to set inside."

The former PSG and Arsenal boss said when he arrived at Villa in 2022 his first objective was to qualify for European competition.

"We got it last year and this year," he said. "To be contenders for a trophy, last year we were contenders in the Conference League but we lost in the semi-final. This year, we're in the FA Cup and Champions League as well.

"Everything we are doing, hopefully we can keep it for a long time. This is the challenge.

"I know after the club won the European Cup they were for a long time not achieving the demands we are now setting in the club -- to be in Europe, to be a contender for trophies.

"Everything we are doing is important, but I want more."

Emery has a rich pedigree in European competition, winning the Europa League three times with Sevilla and triumphing again with Villarreal.

Villa put themselves in pole position against Club Brugge with two goals in the final 10 minutes in Belgium last week but Emery insists the tie is not over.

"Nothing changes," he said. "We are respecting them a lot, we have our own experiences, myself and the players in their career. Anything can happen tomorrow."

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and winger Marco Asensio are available again after they missed the weekend win at Brentford.

Midfielder Amadou Onana is also back in the frame but Ross Barkley continues to miss out.

C.Bell--TNT

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The National Times - Emery wants to turn Villa into European force