Aston Villa have kicked off their season with impressive performances in both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League. Currently, they sit in fourth place in the Premier League standings, maintaining a strong presence, while they remain undefeated in European competition. As Villa manager Unai Emery prepares his team for an important match against Serie A side Bologna, he has made it clear that he is pushing his squad to compete across all fronts this season, inspired by the successes of clubs like Manchester City and Liverpool.
In a recent interview with TNT Sports, Emery expressed his desire for Aston Villa to emulate the consistency and competitiveness displayed by top English clubs like Manchester City and Liverpool, who have set benchmarks for excellence across multiple competitions.
Villa’s Ambitious Start and Tough Road Ahead
Aston Villa’s 3-1 victory over Fulham last Saturday marked another strong league performance, solidifying their position in the top four. They are now only four points behind the league leaders, Liverpool. However, Emery believes that maintaining this momentum across both domestic and European competitions will be the ultimate test for his team this season.
“This is the most difficult challenge I can have now, to try to get us performing in the Premier League and the Champions League,” Emery stated. “We played a huge and great match on Saturday, our mentality was brilliant, but tomorrow is the same.”
While Aston Villa has enjoyed a successful start, Emery is realistic about the challenges ahead. He is well aware that his team is not yet at the level of established powerhouses like Manchester City or Liverpool, who have the experience and depth to compete seamlessly on multiple fronts.
“We are not Manchester City, we are not Liverpool, we are not even Arsenal or one of the other great teams that are used to playing lots of matches in Europe and the Premier League,” said Emery. “This is my challenge, this is my concern every day, to try to compete in each match.”
The Battle for Consistency
Emery’s focus is on cultivating a consistent and competitive mindset within the team. He stresses the importance of remaining demanding and ensuring that his players give their best, game after game, without losing focus. He acknowledges that balancing commitments in both the Premier League and Champions League is a complex task, but it’s one he is determined to master.
“Try to be competitive and try to get our performances,” Emery emphasized. “We try to be demanding and try to get the players focusing 100% on one match and try to play while always respecting the opponent.”
Currently, Aston Villa is positioned sixth in the Champions League league phase table, having secured a 3-0 win in their opening match against Young Boys, followed by a notable 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich. These results have bolstered the team’s confidence and demonstrated their ability to compete at the highest level.
Learning From the Premier League
One of the reasons behind Villa’s strong showing in Europe is their experience in the Premier League, a competition widely regarded as one of the toughest in the world. Emery believes that regularly competing against top-tier English teams has helped his players adapt to the rigorous demands of the Champions League.
“This was maybe because the opponent [Bayern Munich] are already one of the best teams in the world,” Emery said. “Here in England, in the Premier League, we are already playing the best teams in the world. Of course, to get the balance of being consistent, achieving our demands against those teams, you can feel comfortable and you can face those teams, competing, sometimes losing, but of course sometimes you can have opportunities to win, to beat these teams.”
The victory over Bayern Munich was a landmark achievement for Aston Villa, as beating one of the world’s elite teams showcased their potential to challenge on the European stage. However, Emery cautioned that while the win was crucial, it is just as important to remain focused and prepare diligently for every match, as each game presents a new challenge.
“Bayern was a fantastic match,” Emery reflected. “The consequence was that we have three more points in the table, it is important, but tomorrow we are playing the same three points. Of course, the opponents are always demanding, so to achieve points against Bayern means a lot to the supporters.”
Respecting the Competition
As Aston Villa prepare for their upcoming match against Bologna, Emery spoke highly of Bologna’s manager, Vincenzo Italiano. He acknowledged Italiano’s ability to lead and motivate his team, emphasizing the respect Villa holds for their Italian opponents.
“Firstly the coach, he is being successful,” Emery said. “His spirit and his energy is huge and he is showing his capacity as a coach to be successful before in his process and now with Bologna he has a new challenge. He is trying to impose his idea strongly, they are aggressive, they have good players, and with teams in the Champions League, you have to always respect them.”
Emery’s praise for Italiano reflects his broader philosophy of respecting every opponent, regardless of their current standing. He understands that maintaining respect and focus in each match is critical for success, especially in a competition as demanding as the Champions League.
Aiming High Despite the Challenges
While Aston Villa may not have the same resources or depth as clubs like Manchester City, Liverpool, or Arsenal, Emery is confident that his side can continue to grow and improve. His goal is to build a team capable of competing against the best, and he is determined to make the most of the opportunities this season provides.
The journey so far has been encouraging, with Villa’s ability to secure vital wins in both domestic and European competitions demonstrating their growth under Emery’s leadership. Yet, the manager remains grounded and aware of the challenges ahead. He acknowledges that there is still much work to be done, and that consistency is the key to achieving the level of success he envisions for Aston Villa.
For Emery, it is not just about winning; it’s about building a squad that can handle the pressures of top-level football across various competitions. “Sometimes other coaches ask me how we can manage to play, be consistent and compete in the Premier League and in the Champions League with the experience we have with the club and the team and some players,” he shared. “This is my challenge, this is my concern every day, to try to compete in each match.”
Conclusion: Eyes on the Future
Unai Emery’s leadership has infused a new sense of ambition and competitiveness into Aston Villa. As the club navigates through a challenging season, competing in both the Premier League and Champions League, they are learning to adapt, grow, and take on bigger challenges. Emery’s vision is clear: he wants Villa to be a team that can consistently compete against the best, even if they aren’t yet on the same level as Manchester City or Liverpool.
The task may be daunting, but if Aston Villa continue to follow Emery’s blueprint—focusing on consistency, respecting opponents, and striving for excellence in every game—they may well carve out a place among Europe’s elite in the near future. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on how they handle the rigors of competing on multiple fronts, and whether they can continue their promising start under Emery’s guidance.