Aston Villa’s head coach, Unai Emery, had some strong words before his team’s next big match in the UEFA Europa League. His message? Even though Villa are one of the best teams in the tournament, they must never stop respecting the competition.
The English side will play Maccabi Tel Aviv from Israel at Villa Park this week, hoping to bounce back from a rare defeat. Villa lost their last Europa League match 2–1 away to Go Ahead Eagles, ending their perfect run in the group stage.
Maccabi Tel Aviv, on the other hand, are still looking for their first win of the campaign. Out of the 36 teams in this season’s Europa League, they are one of seven yet to celebrate a victory. So, on paper, Aston Villa are the clear favorites. But Unai Emery doesn’t want his players to take that for granted.
In fact, the Spanish coach—who has already won the Europa League four times with Sevilla—knows better than anyone that success only comes with focus and hard work.
Unai Emery’s Ambitions: “First or Nothing”
When Unai Emery spoke to the media this week, he started by sharing what Aston Villa’s goals are in the competition. His words were very clear: he wants Villa to finish first in their group and make it all the way to the final stages.
“The only idea is to be the first in the table,” he said confidently. “Our objective is to win every match, but we lost one. There is another team in front of us now, and we have to get three points tomorrow to be contenders to be in the top eight and avoid the play-offs.”
In the Europa League, the top team from each group automatically qualifies for the Round of 16, while the second-placed teams have to play an extra knockout round against clubs dropping down from the Champions League. Unai Emery doesn’t want that. He wants his players to go straight through to the next round as group winners.
He also mentioned that losing to Go Ahead Eagles was a wake-up call.
“It is difficult,” Unai Emery added. “We have to be aware of how we lost the last match and correct things. It will be different at home. This is our real objective — to win tomorrow and to be in the top eight at minimum.”
That message sums up Unai Emery’s approach: every match is a lesson, and every mistake is something to learn from.
Fun Soccer Fact:
Unai Emery has a nickname — “The King of the Europa League.” He earned it because he has won the tournament four times (three with Sevilla and once with Villarreal). No other manager in history has won the Europa League that many times!
McGinn’s New Deal: The Captain Commits Until 2028
Another positive piece of news for Villa fans came just before the press conference — the club captain John McGinn signed a new contract that will keep him at the club until 2028.
McGinn, who joined Villa in 2018 from Hibernian, has become one of the most beloved players in the team. He’s known for his tireless running, powerful left foot, and leadership on and off the field.
Unai Emery praised McGinn’s dedication and personality.
“In those three years we have been together, he has shown us and me how he is leading the team in all moments,” Unai Emery said. “The most important thing is how he is responding on the field, and on the field, he is responding very well.”
The coach also talked about McGinn’s versatility — his ability to play in multiple positions.
“He can play as a midfielder or as a winger, and his commitment to Aston Villa is huge,” Unai Emery continued. “Before I arrived here and since I arrived, he has shown me that for the next years, he is going to be an important player for us.”
This contract extension means that Villa’s core team — including stars like Ollie Watkins, Emiliano Martínez, and Douglas Luiz — will stay together for several more years. That stability is crucial if they want to keep challenging for trophies both in England and in Europe.
Soccer Combo Fact:
Aston Villa are one of the oldest football clubs in the world — founded in 1874! They have won the English First Division (now the Premier League) seven times and even lifted the European Cup (now called the Champions League) in 1982.
Their home ground, Villa Park, is one of England’s most historic stadiums, and the fans there are known for creating a loud and passionate atmosphere.
Being “Favorites” Isn’t Always Easy
Reporters also asked Unai Emery how it feels to be the “favorite” in so many of their games this season — especially in Europe, where Villa are often expected to win easily.
His answer was calm and realistic.
“It is difficult to say who is the favorite,” he said. “To win this competition is very difficult, and so is winning one team. Of course, our wish is to win the Europa League, but we have to focus on the process we are doing.”
He reminded everyone that every game in football can be dangerous if the players aren’t focused.
“We lost at Go Ahead Eagles three weeks ago,” Unai Emery continued, “and they showed us how we can lose matches if we are not respecting 100% and focused 100%. If we don’t respect the team and the competition, we are not going to win.”
That’s a classic Unai Emery lesson — football isn’t just about talent or star power; it’s about discipline and respect.
Soccer News Flash:
So far in the 2025 Europa League, some of the top-performing teams include Bayer Leverkusen, Atalanta, and Marseille. Aston Villa are considered one of the front-runners, but the tournament is full of surprises. Last season, Italian side Atalanta shocked everyone by beating Leverkusen in the final to win their first-ever European trophy.
That’s why Unai Emery’s warning makes sense: even big teams can lose if they underestimate their opponents.
“Every Match Is a Test”
Unai Emery ended his press conference with a strong motivational message.
“Mentally, how we face every moment — in the Europa League or Premier League or any other competition — is very important,” he said. “We have reacted to our poor start to the season. We are keeping consistency, but not enough, and that is an example.”
He added that every training session matters and that tomorrow’s match would be another test of how the team responds after a loss.
“Tomorrow is a test of how we will respond to losing the last match in the competition,” he finished.
For young soccer players or fans, Unai Emery’s words carry a great life lesson: success comes from respect, hard work, and never taking anything for granted.
Quick Recap for Fans:
Competition: UEFA Europa League
Match: Aston Villa vs Maccabi Tel Aviv
Venue: Villa Park, Birmingham
Recent Form: Villa lost 2–1 to Go Ahead Eagles, ending their perfect record
Maccabi Tel Aviv: Still winless in the group
Manager’s Message: Respect every opponent, learn from mistakes, and stay focused
Key Player Update: Captain John McGinn signed a new contract until 2028
Prediction Combo Tip: Over 2.5 Goals
With Unai Emery’s leadership, Villa fans have every reason to be optimistic. His experience in European competitions and his attention to detail make him one of the most respected coaches in the world. But as he always says — you can’t win tomorrow’s match today.
Villa must step onto the pitch, play with focus, and prove once again why they are one of Europe’s rising powerhouses.