Unai Emery Discusses Mental Fortitude and Champions League Ambitions Ahead of Club Brugge Match

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery addressed reporters ahead of his team’s Champions League fixture against Club Brugge on Wednesday, scheduled for a 17:45 GMT kick-off. Below are the main points from his press briefing: Emery confirmed the unavailability of Matty Cash and Ross Barkley, stating that neither player traveled with the squad for the upcoming game. Regarding the significance of acknowledging players’ past achievements following a series of challenging recent results, Emery stated: “We are going to try and separate different competitions. We lost in the Carabao Cup and in Premier League and then a draw, but trying to separate and focusing in each moment how we are. Building the team we are trying to create. To be tactically always understanding in 90 minutes and feel strong enough, mentally and even emotionally. We are building this process.” He characterized the upcoming match against Brugge as “completely different” and noted that his team is “very motivated and excited [by] each match.” Emery remarked that a victory for Villa on Wednesday would be “really amazing what we can achieve,” as it would advance them closer to securing a position in the top eight. He further commented: “Tomorrow we are aware of possibility to get a fourth victory and 12 points. The expectation to be in top eight is 16 or 17 points. The best teams in Europe will be there, but there will be some surprises. If we get there it will be a surprise.” When asked about potential pressure to win the game, Emery responded: “Not feeling it like pressure… If we are playing in a good level then for them [Brugge] it will be difficult, but if we are not, then it may be easier for them. We are respecting Club Brugge.” Addressing whether the upcoming month would be decisive for their season, he stated: “We are demanding, we are increasing our standards. We want to be consistent on the field. We are not favourites like other top teams in the Premier League. In Europe, there are other teams in front of us who are favourite. We are being competitive, from when I arrive here until today, at a high level. In the league we are competing in top five on average.” He also added: “We have to work more than other teams. Other teams can have capacities to be favourite but our way is clearly to be a fighting team. Working hard mentally, tactically, emotionally, to be more intelligent than other teams.”