Unai Emery focused on 'new mentality, new objective' as Aston Villa set for UEFA Champions League debut

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Unai Emery is focusing on a "new mentality" for his Aston Villa side as they prepare to make their first appearance in Europe's top competition since 1982, having won the fabled European Cup 42 years ago. The Spaniard is no stranger to success on the continent and is backing his Villa side to compete in the UEFA Champions League this year as they continue to go from strength to strength.

Emery outlines 'new objective' as Villa prepare for Champions League debut

Video credit: TNT Sports

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says he is focused on a "new mentality" for his club as they prepare to play in the UEFA Champions League for the first time.

The club famously won the European Cup in 1982 – before the competition was revamped in 1992 – when they beat Bayern Munich in the final, and Emery is dreaming of seeing the Claret and Blue draped in gold once more.

"I had dreams when I arrived here to play in the Champions League and be competitive in this competition," Emery told TNT Sports, in an exclusive interview.

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"Of course, we arrived quickly and better, of course. Even playing in the Conference League last year was quicker than maybe we expected.

"But we are going to set our new mentality, our new objective. Because we are now not comfortable playing in the Premier League and being in the middle. We want to be competitive, get in Europe, and be consistent.
"But of course, being consistent and getting into Europe is very difficult in England because it is the hardest league in the world."

Villa make their Champions League debut when they kick off against Swiss outfit Young Boys on Wednesday evening, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

One of the talking points ahead of the clash is the type of pitch that the Swiss club use, an artificial surface at the Wankdorf Stadium.

But the Spaniard is resolute that the club will not be using that as an excuse and will adapt to what they encounter.

"We have to accept and we have to adapt to the pitches we are playing. Of course, usually we are playing on normal pitches, here it is synthetic," Emery added.

"But we are going to try to adapt quickly and know what the difference is with the pitch."

While having reached the semi-finals of last year's Conference League, this year is a huge step up for Emery's side, and for many in the squad, it will be their first taste of Champions League football.

The likes of Pau Torres, who reached the semi-finals with Villareal in 2022, and Ian Maatsen who played in last year's final with Borussia Dortmund, will be some of the players that Emery will rely on when it comes to experience.

"We have players with experience; Ian Maatsen played last year and he is with us now," he said.

"Other players played, Pau Torres played in a semi-final three years ago. And I am playing [coaching] in Europe for 16 years in a row. My experiences are very important, but the better experience we are trying to use and get is with Aston Villa, with Aston Villa players, with Aston Villa supporters.

"We are always remembering how amazing it was when they won the Champions League [European Cup] in 1982, and for us, it is very important."

Emery also gave his condolences to the family of Gary Shaw, who was a heroic figure in Villa's 1982 European Cup winning side against Bayern Munich.

With trips to Monaco and Leipzig on the schedule, as well as visits to Birmingham from European giants Juventus and Bayern Munich, Villa face a daunting run of fixtures in the new format. But supporters have cause for a pragmatic sense of optimism.

Emery's stature in Europe, particularly in knockout ties, is amongst the best in the game. The Basque manager has had remarkable consistency in the Europa and Conference League competitions, proving himself to be a specialist as he won four Europa League titles, more than anyone.

"We have to try and use our experiences from last year, how difficult it was last year to get to the semi-final in the Conference League. And how difficult it is going to be here this year in the Champions League," he said.

"But we can compete here and enjoy it and feel strong playing in Europe with sharing the difficulty we have playing in the Premier League."

Having reached the semi-final of last year's Conference League, losing to Olympiacos, the Spaniard is already working his European magic in Birmingham.

"For me, the difference is only how we can be focussed 100%, be fit 100%, be competitive 100% – mentally, physically and tactically on the pitch. And different cultures, different countries, different temperatures. But football and the demand of the opponent is similar."

TNT Sports will show over 500 matches from the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Conference League across the 2024-25 season. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.

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