Aston Villa boss Unai Emery wants everyone at the club to demand more heading into the new season.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has called for an improved performance this season.
Villa start their Premier League campaign with a televised trip to Newcastle and will also be targeting progress in the Europa Conference League – with a play-off against either Hibernian or Swiss club Luzern coming up later in August.
Having build solid foundations since his arrival at Villa Park in October 2022 which culminated in a seventh-place finish, the Spaniard remains determined to continue the upward momentum.
“I want to be demanding with myself and with the club to be competitive,” said the former Valencia and Paris St. Germain boss, who rebuilt his reputation at Villarreal – winning the Europa League once again – after leaving Arsenal in November 2019.
“Of course, the Premier League is the most important competition for us. It is our first objective for everybody, try to improve on last year. It is going to be very difficult, but we have to be very demanding.
“The two trophies we are going to face in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, always we have to be a candidate to fight for them. We are not looking at them like a second or third objective. It is a trophy and we want to play for it.”
Emery added: “I am very responsible about my work and I am very focussed on the new season – I am excited, but trying to be in good balance.
“I want to increase and give better than last year, but trying to keep regularity and the same consistency we had. As well, we are trying to do things with different players, adding more players and being more competitive.
“Of course, we are playing one more competition in Europe – giving us more than 40, 45, 50 matches, hopefully, this year.”
As well as continued domestic improvement, Emery also has his sights firmly set on more European silverware.
Hibs took a 3-1 lead from the first leg of their third-round qualifier at Easter Road on Thursday night as they eye a showdown with Villa for a place in the group stage.
“Always we have to face the future and we have to get something different. When I arrived here, my message was clear and it’s still the same – I am here to try and play in Europe with Aston Villa,” Emery said.
“Hopefully, after the match we are going to play against Hibernian or Luzern, we are doing it for more.
“If we are in the group (stages), we will try to share with our supporters a new way to play in Europe. It has been a long time that Aston Villa are not playing in Europe.
“For me, it is very important and is another way to increase our level. We are trying to play for a trophy in Europe.”
Before taking the Villa job, Emery had been approached over the Newcastle vacancy, but instead opted to stay with Villarreal – guiding them into the semi-finals of the 2021-22 Champions League where they were beaten by Liverpool.
“Starting against Newcastle is a very good challenge for us. It is difficult,” he said.
“They are feeling strong at home and their objective has now changed completely from two years before – they have to be in the top four.”
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