Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has been speaking to the media before Thursday’s Europa League last 16 second leg against Lille at Villa Park (20:00 GMT).
Villa lead 1-0 from the first leg.
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
- Emery stressed that Villa cannot underestimate Lille, despite their lead: “There is still the second leg to play against a team so so experienced in Europe. How they are performing is very fantastic. Of course we respect them a lot. Massive respect. We played a really fantastic match there but tomorrow is the second part and we must be ready to play.”
- How big a role can the Villa Park crowd play? “Our supporters are part of us. We can feel them when they are there each match. It is very important how we can feel them close to us. Villa Park is our fortress and we are consistent there. The last few games, not been getting the results like before, can feel like something is lacking in Villa Park. Tomorrow is the opportunity. The supporters must help us to win.”
- On having captain John McGinn back available: “It’s very important. It means a lot when John McGinn is at Villa Park. The most important is how we can get our performance collectively but some individual players as well like John McGinn can add something special. He is the captain, for the supporters he is a player who gets a lot of emotions. Tomorrow, hopefully he will be an important part for us.”
- Reflecting on Villa’s journey under him, Emery said: “Playing a second leg in the last 16 of the Europa League when we arrived here three and a half years ago was a dream. It was something in that moment that was so difficult to think [we could do]. We have achieved it so quick and how we are being consistent in the Premier League, even with losing games we are fourth, was a huge dream three years ago.”
- More on high standards despite a difficult run domestically: “Being as demanding as we are, you can become frustrated and the supporters frustrated. But I prefer it. Sometimes we feel are not performing well and get criticism because we are setting our standards and objectives so so high but I want to be here and fight for the position we are in now.”
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