Aston Villa's Unai Emery: We're Aiming for First or Nothing

Emery sets sights on Europa League glory with Aston Villa

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery outlines his ambitions for the Europa League and praises John McGinn's new contract extension. Read more.

The only idea is to be the first in the table but with our experience three years ago in the Conference League and...

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery emphasized the importance of respecting the Europa League ahead of their match against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Despite being favorites, Emery warned against complacency, highlighting the challenges that Maccabi Tel Aviv can pose.

Aston Villa suffered a setback in their last Europa League match, losing 2-1 to Go Ahead Eagles, which ended their 100% record in the League Phase. However, the Villans have a strong home record, having lost only one of their last 27 matches in front of their own fans.

Maccabi Tel Aviv, on the other hand, are still searching for their first victory in the Europa League. Despite their current struggles, Emery urged his team to remain focused and take nothing for granted. The match promises to be an intriguing encounter between two teams with contrasting fortunes in the competition.

Unai Emery's Ambition for Aston Villa

Aston Villa's manager Unai Emery has set his sights on a top-four finish in the Premier League and winning the Europa League. He emphasized the importance of taking risks and aiming high, stating that the team should strive for first place or nothing. Emery believes that the squad has the quality and depth to compete with the best teams in Europe and make a strong run in the competition.

“The only idea is to be the first in the table but with our experience three years ago in the Conference League and last year in the Champions League and how we were managing in different moments - the process. Our objective is to win every match but we lost one. 

“There is another team in front of us and we have to try tomorrow to get three points to be contenders to be in the top eight and to avoid the play-off. 

“It is difficult and we have to be aware of how we lost the last match against Go Ahead Eagles and how we must correct things. It will be different at home. 

“This is the real objective to win tomorrow and in the top eight minimum.”

John McGinn's Contract Extension

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery confirmed the news of John McGinn's new contract extension, which was officially announced on Wednesday, with the midfielder committing to the club until 2028. Emery welcomed McGinn's decision to stay, highlighting the importance of retaining key players to the team's success.

"In those three years we have been together, he has shown us and me how he is leading the team in all moments. 

“The most important thing is how he is responding on the field, and on the field, he is responding very well. 

“He can play as a midfielder, as a winger and his commitment to Aston Villa is a huge commitment. Before I arrived here and since I arrived, he has shown me that for the next years he is going to be an important player for us.”

“Tomorrow is very important, even more after the last match we lost in the Netherlands. Tomorrow is being very important for the points."

The Boss' full press conference is now available on VillaTV 📺

— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) November 5, 2025

Being Favorites

“It's not new for us,” Unai Emery said when asked about being favorites. “We know what it means to be in this position. We have to be ready to play with a lot of energy and intensity.” Emery emphasized the importance of staying focused and motivated, even when facing teams considered less strong.

“It is difficult to say who is the favourite. To win this competition is very difficult, and so is winning one team. Of course our wishes are to win this competition, but we have to focus in the process we are doing.

“We have to focus each match and respect the competition.

“We lost at Go Ahead Eagles three weeks ago and they showed us how we can lose matches if we are not respecting 100% and focused 100%. If we don't respect the team and the competition, we are not going to win.

“Mentally, how we face every moment we are playing in the Europa League or Premier League or any other competition. We have reacted to our poor start to the season. We are keeping consistency, but not enough, and that is an example.

“This is the circumstance sometimes if we are not respecting every team. This is a lesson. In this process, we are being demanding, individually and collectively, like we are in the last years.

“Every day it is important how we are in training and then we are going to show tomorrow. Tomorrow is a test of how we will respond to losing the last match in the competition.”