Unai Emery's Transformation Allows Aston Villa To Dream In Europe Again

Aston Villa head into a first European semi-final for 42 years against Olympiakos on Thursday but have the experience of a proven winner at this stage of continental competition in manager Unai Emery. The Spaniard is a four-time Europa League champion from his spells at Sevilla and Villarreal and is now targeting a first Europa Conference League success to cap his transformation of a sleeping giant. Villa sat just outside the Premier League relegation zone with just 12 points from their opening 12 games under the sacked Steven Gerrard when Emery took charge for the first time in November 2022.

Despite that handicap, he still managed to qualify Villa for Europe for the first time since 2010 thanks to a seventh-placed finish.

"He does not miss a trick. He's obsessed with football and he wants us to be obsessed with football," said the club's captain John McGinn.

"He's completely transformed this place and it's a pleasure to work under him."

Even more glamourous nights for Villa Park await next season with the side from Birmingham closing in on a first ever taste of the Champions League since it was rebranded from the European Cup.

Villa are fourth in the Premier League, seven points clear of Tottenham, who have just five more games to overhaul that gap.

Champions of Europe in 1982, Villa have not been back at that elite level since the season they defended the trophy 41 years ago.

Yet, Emery has still referenced the images of the club's European Cup triumph on the walls of the training ground as a source of inspiration for a new era of success that he is building.

"Everyday when I go to the training ground there is the '82 European Cup (picture). It's good to have that memory," said Emery at the start of Villa's European