Unai Emery emphasized a “fresh mindset and new goals” as Aston Villa prepares for their first appearance in the UEFA Champions League.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is setting his sights on a “new mentality” as the club prepares for its debut in the UEFA Champions League. This marks a significant moment for the Villans, who famously lifted the European Cup in 1982, defeating Bayern Munich in the final before the competition underwent its transformation in 1992. Emery dreams of seeing the Claret and Blue adorned in gold once again.

In an exclusive interview with TNT Sports, Emery expressed his ambitions upon arriving at Villa Park. “I had dreams when I arrived here to play in the Champions League and be competitive in this competition,” he stated. The manager acknowledged the rapid progress the team has made, noting, “Even playing in the Conference League last year was quicker than maybe we expected.”

However, Emery is keen to instill a new mindset within the squad. “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,” he said. He is acutely aware of the challenges that lie ahead, particularly in the fiercely competitive landscape of English football. “But of course, being consistent and getting into Europe is very difficult in England because it is the hardest league in the world.”

One of the key talking points ahead of their upcoming clash is the artificial pitch at the Wankdorf Stadium, home to their Swiss opponents. Emery, however, is determined that his side will not use this as an excuse. “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,” he explained. “But we are going to try to adapt quickly and know what the difference is with the pitch.”

This season represents a significant step up for Villa, especially after reaching the semi-finals of last year’s Conference League. For many players in the squad, this will be their first experience of Champions League football. Emery will be looking to seasoned players like Pau Torres, who reached the semi-finals with Villarreal in 2022, and Ian Maatsen, who played in last year’s final with Borussia Dortmund, to provide vital experience.

“We have players with experience; Ian Maatsen played last year and he is with us now,” Emery noted. “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.”

Emery also took a moment to pay tribute to Gary Shaw, a legendary figure from Villa’s 1982 European Cup-winning side, offering his condolences to Shaw’s family.

With challenging fixtures against European heavyweights like Monaco, Leipzig, Juventus, and Bayern Munich on the horizon, Villa faces a daunting task in the new format. However, there is a sense of pragmatic optimism among supporters. Emery’s reputation in Europe, particularly in knockout competitions, is formidable. He has consistently excelled in the Europa and Conference League, boasting an impressive four Europa League titles to his name.

“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 while sharing the difficulty we have playing in the Premier League.”

Having already made an impact in Birmingham, Emery is focused on ensuring his side is fully prepared for the challenges ahead. “For me, the difference is only how we can be focused 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.”

As Aston Villa embarks on this exciting journey, all eyes will be on Emery and his squad to see if they can rise to the occasion and make their mark on European football once again.