Emery targets Champions League glory with Aston Villa
by Moronfolu Adeyemi · The Eagle OnlineAston Villa manager Unai Emery has set his sights on winning the Champions League as he outlined his ambition for the club ahead of Tuesday’s opener against Club Brugge.
Villa begin their Champions League league-phase campaign by travelling to face Club Brugge at Jan Breydel Stadium on Tuesday evening.
The fixture marks the Villans’ third visit to Sint-Andries since November 2024, having suffered a 1-0 defeat before responding with a 3-1 knockout victory in March.
Emery’s side are also looking to improve their attacking form after failing to score in their opening three Premier League games this term.
Despite a major summer squad overhaul that saw established players depart and younger talents arrive, Emery said his ambition of competing for Europe’s biggest prize remained unchanged.
Speaking to TNT Sports, Emery said: “My dream is… of course I have a huge dream… to win the Champions League as a coach, as a manager.
“But together here with Aston Villa, I dreamed when I arrived here to be in Europe, consistency, to be in Europe and, of course, the Champions League is the best competition in the world in football, then to compete for trophies and still be in the same dream I have here.”
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Villa’s standing in European football has grown under Emery, with the club progressing from the Europa Conference League semi-finals to the Champions League quarter-finals before lifting the Europa League last season.
Despite having five winners’ medals from Europe’s second-tier competition, Emery acknowledged that his reshaped squad would require time to adapt while insisting they must compete immediately.
Emery said: “Of course, sometimes we must be patient, and we need time for the process, but football is not waiting.
“Tomorrow, we must try to compete as best as possible to face Brugge and to face the Champions League at the level we need.”
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