Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has called on his players to seize the opportunity to etch their names into the club’s history as they prepare for the decisive second leg of their Champions League quarter-final against Paris St-Germain.
Trailing 3-1 after the first leg, Villa face an uphill battle at Villa Park on Tuesday but remain determined to overcome the odds.
Emery, who boasts vast experience in European competitions, emphasized the importance of belief and composure: “We want to write the history of Aston Villa here. Last year, in the Conference League, and this year in the Champions League, we aim to build a legacy for the future.”
He added that his team must manage the match “emotionally and tactically” to keep their ambitions alive.
The Spanish tactician, 53, has been a cornerstone of Villa’s success in Europe. Under his guidance, the club has maintained a remarkable 17-match unbeaten streak at home across all competitions since November 2024.
Emery himself has an impressive record, losing just one of his 13 home matches in major European tournaments as Villa manager.
Looking ahead, Emery has hinted at a strategic approach, including the potential partnership of Marcus Rashford and Ollie Watkins in attack.
However, he cautioned that this high-stakes match against PSG might not be the right time to experiment. “The next step is to play them together,” Emery remarked, “but not now, with enough time.”
