Aston Villa reached their first European semi-final for 42 years against Olympiakos on Thursday. But manager Unai Emery has the experience of a proven winner at this stage of continental competition.
The Spaniard is a four-time Europa League champion from his spells at Sevilla and Villarreal and is now targeting a maiden Europa League success. When Emery took charge for the first time in November 2022. So Villa sit just outside the Premier League relegation zone with just 12 points from their opening 12 games under the sacked Steven Gerrard.
Despite this handicap, he managed to qualify Villa for Europe for the first time since 2010 thanks to a seventh-placed finish.
“He doesn’t miss a beat. He’s passionate about football and he wants us to be passionate about football,” club captain John McGinn said.
“He’s completely transformed this place. And it’s been a pleasure to work under him.”
Even more exciting nights await at Villa Park next season. While it was rebranded from the European Cup after Birmingham got their first taste of the Champions League.
Villa are fourth in the Premier League, seven points ahead of Tottenham. Who have just five more games to close the gap.
Champions of Europe in 1982, Villa have not returned to this elite level since the season they defended the trophy 41 years ago.
Despite this, Emery still cites pictures of the club’s European Cup triumphs on the walls of the training ground as motivation for a new era of success that he is building.
“When I go to the training ground every day, there’s the ’82 European Cup (pictured). It’s good to remember,” Emery said at the start of Villa’s European adventure this season.
“This is the history of Aston Villa and it’s amazing. Of course we want to make a new history now. Doing it our way and hopefully we can do something important here.”
Ajax, Martinez’s memories
The 4-0 win against Ajax in the last 16 is one such memory. Most of Joe Villa’s fans will cling to him for decades to come.
Emiliano Martinez’s exploits to beat Lille in a tough penalty shootout in the quarter-finals will go down in club folklore. Especially if they tag favorites to win the contest.
Already playing 51 games this season, Tull’s fatigue began to show in the second half. That blew a two-goal lead in Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Chelsea.
But the side of Olympiakos who are fourth in the Greek top flight. He should have no fear of Fiorentina or Club Brugge waiting for the winners in the final. HD Live Sports
The best news for Villa fans came this time last week. When Emery extended his contract until 2027.
“We are enjoying our way together with a great group of Villa fans, club owners, management and players. We are proud of that,” said the 52-year-old.
Emery’s achievements at Villa reflect the success of his career. Who try to jump clubs and compete with the European elite.
He overcame financial difficulties to lead Valencia to three consecutive third-place finishes in La Liga.
Between 2014 and 2016, Sevilla won three consecutive Europa Leagues. And he beat Manchester United in the 2021 Europa League final to win Villarreal’s first major trophy.
In between he struggled to live up to high expectations at Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain and deal with an inflated ego.
But his detail-oriented approach has been welcomed by a Villa squad. Joe is eager for his time to shine on the European stage.