Aston Villa boss Unai Emery spoke of his pride for all concerned after our 2-1 win over Brighton on Sunday secured a Europa Conference League place.
Villa were in dire straits when the Spaniard took charge in November, as after a hugely disappointing start to the campaign, we found ourselves just outside the relegation zone and completely devoid of an identity and style in a worrying downward spiral.
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Despite a limited January transfer window, Emery has shown his class as a coach to get the best out of the group at his disposal, and after a superb run over the past six months, it has resulted in a return to Europe for Villa as we finished above the likes of Tottenham and Brentford to seal seventh place in the Premier League table.
The work the Villa boss, his staff and the players have done has been exceptional. To develop and progress with his ideas, to consistently pick up wins and to build momentum like we have isn’t easy in this league, but we did it and ultimately achieved something that seemed so unlikely earlier in the campaign.
In turn, Emery was right to be proud of the achievement, and he is undoubtedly already relishing the opportunity to compete in another European competition, as it gives us another chance at winning a trophy, as well as gaining valuable experience as we look to continue to improve and become increasingly competitive.
“I’m very proud of our work, our supporters, the club, everybody that works here,” he told VillaTV. “It’s important because we’re going to be one step ahead in our objective to be in Europe. To play in the Conference League is very important.
“We’re adding the possibility of another trophy because it’s very difficult in the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup. Our objective and ambitions will be to try and always be a candidate to get a trophy.
“To play in Europe for the club and the coaches, because I was playing 15 years in a row in Europe, so to get that again next year is fantastic for me individually and I’m very happy playing in Europe.
“We are going to add more matches and more difficult moments, but I want a competitive team. I’m going to be really, really demanding to play as well as possible and taking more challenges. Playing in Europe is it.”
That is absolutely spot on from Emery, as although some may well play down the competition, it ultimately represents another shot at silverware, it brings back Europe to help us adapt and get accustomed to playing at that level again, and it ultimately provides another pathway to the Europa League, should we win it.
With that in mind, it’s a huge boost to qualify for it, and it will also hopefully help with our recruitment plans this summer to be able to attract players of a certain level given the ability to offer European football and a clear plan which shows how competitive we can be under Emery in the coming years given what we’ve achieved this season.
Meanwhile, the Villa boss was also asked about the supporters and the atmosphere that was created on Sunday, and Emery couldn’t have been more complimentary, as he has been since he arrived, as he has always emphasised the importance of the connection between the team and fans.
“It was fantastic. Their support is really important always, at home and away,” he added. “Today, to get it with them was magnificent because we could share with them our emotion, our energy and our game plan.
“They brought us energy and support. We are very proud of them and we want to share moments like today with them.”