Emery sets standards high as Villa chase more history after Europa triumph and top-four finish | OneFootball

Unai Emery has said Aston Villa's success in Europe has exceeded even his expectations.

Aston Villa travel to face Club Brugge in theChampions League tonight, in what represents the club's fourth consecutive campaign in Europe.

Villa have twice qualified for theChampions League in that period, and ended a 30-year wait for a major trophy by winning the Europa League last season.

It's been a remarkable rise for The Villans, who had never played in UEFA's top club competition in the Champions League era, before Emery's arrival in 2022.

Speaking ahead of facing Brugge, Emery said he could not even have imagined their success in continental competition so far.

Emery hails Aston Villa’s stunning European rise: “Beyond our highest expectations” ahead of Brugge showdown

“Of course, we are very motivated and very excited to play (in) this competition. Europe is something fantastic.

“We started playing Conference League, we played together (in the) Champions League two years ago, and last year in another competition, in the Europa League, we were successful.

“And again, to be here in Champions League is really something fantastic, and how we achieved it is like we can continue feeling proud of how we did – through the league, finishing fourth, and winning in Europe.

“But it’s a new chapter, and completely different. When we started the project here, the vision we had was in our highest expectation, even maybe was not to be in Europe four years in a row, with two in Champions League.

“It was very difficult when we started together working, but it was our vision with the owners and as well, we set the standard high with the players to try to be there, and we are.

“And now it’s the moment to remember it, how we are here and why we did the way, and how with a different moment, chapter, we are starting how we did as well the last three years.

“The last three years, of course, we were progressively getting better, creating and building our structure strong, and in the level we achieved, playing in Europe, winning a trophy, and feeling really, very good in the level we were playing.