Unai Emery has called on Aston Villa's hierarchy to match his ambition as he seeks to transform the club into a European powerhouse following their Europa League triumph. Victory in Istanbul secured Villa's first European trophy in 44 years and marked Emery's fifth success in this competition, having previously won it with Sevilla and Villarreal.
Emery's Call for Support
With Champions League football on the horizon, Emery stressed that progress requires financial backing from the owners. 'I am myself ambitious and of course I need support,' Emery said. 'The owners, everyone that works in the club, development is everything. The players are following us. We are doing it together. But we must try to set this ambition, being clear and realistic. As a team, ambitious and improving. This is our next step.'
Ruthless Display and Future Plans
Emery's side produced a ruthless performance against Freiburg, who were completely outmatched. Now, having ended Villa's 30-year trophy drought, Emery is determined to add more silverware rather than wait another four decades. 'The club is working to extend the stadium by 10,000 seats. We are changing a little bit the training centre,' Emery explained. 'We are trying to be demanding inside the club. Playing in Europe, Conference League, Champions League, Europa League... next year we're going to play again in Champions League. It makes sense how we're getting this development with the players, extending their contracts. But it's important we must be so, so demanding in our process, in our project. The project can only make sense if we are winning, if we are getting our objectives during this process.'
Champions League Challenge
Emery acknowledged the difficulty of competing in the Premier League and Champions League. 'Next year we will play in Champions League and this is the challenge. The Premier League is the most difficult league in the world. To be fighting top seven, top five, top four is something very difficult. Hopefully we can be close with teams like City and Arsenal.'
Team Effort
Reflecting on the victory, Emery praised his players. 'All the times I am successful in this competition I needed good players. Now I am so thankful for the players, they are following our ambitions. They are protagonists on the field. This is the reason I am not feeling the king in this competition. I am feeling really thankful - we are the kings together. After 1982 the club won the European Cup, it was something they were missing - the supporters - a trophy. Achieving this one is making us so, so happy but we are not going to stop.'
