News Focus
- Unai Emery aims to win his fifth Europa League trophy with Aston Villa
- Villa face German club SC Freiburg in the final on Wednesday night
- The Spanish coach won three consecutive titles with Sevilla and one with Villarreal
- Emery took charge at Villa Park after Steven Gerrard left the club
- The 54-year-old insists Freiburg deserve respect and full concentration
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery could make history this week. The Spanish manager has the chance to lift his fifth Europa League trophy when Villa meet SC Freiburg in the final on Wednesday.
Emery has dominated this competition in the past. He led Sevilla to three straight titles during his time in Spain. Five years ago, he added a fourth crown with Villarreal.
However, the 54-year-old rejects the nickname some fans have given him. “I am not the king of this competition,” he told reporters before the match. “I do not want to talk about past achievements.”
The former Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain coach prefers to focus on the present. He sees this final as the beginning of something special for the Birmingham club. “This is a new opportunity,” he explained. “I hope this marks the start of a new era for Aston Villa.”
Since replacing Steven Gerrard at Villa Park, Emery has transformed the team’s European form. The club has reached the latter stages of continental competitions under his guidance.
The manager warned his players not to underestimate their German opponents. He stressed that Freiburg have earned their place in the final through hard work. “We must respect the competition and respect Freiburg,” he said. “They are here because they deserve it. We must match their motivation and show how much we want this trophy.”