Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has spoken about what he wants to achieve with the club in the future

Unai Emery is as motivated as ever at Aston Villa, insisting he is driven by the club’s ambition to continue growing both on and off the pitch.

Since taking over in 2022, Emery has transformed Villa’s fortunes, establishing them among the leading sides in the Premier League and Europe. Under his management, they have amassed the fourth-most points in the division, qualified for European competition in each of his full seasons in charge, reached the Champions League quarter-finals and won the Europa League last season. They are now competing in UEFA’s elite club competition once again this term.

Although the North Stand at Villa Park is closed this season, it is set to reopen next August with an increased capacity, allowing more than 50,000 fans inside the stadium. Emery has often pointed to the stadium redevelopment as clear evidence of the club’s commitment to improving all aspects of its operation.

The Spaniard’s tenure at Villa will now surely surpass his time at Valencia, where he also spent four years in charge, from 2008 to 2012.

“It is my record now, that I spent four years at Valencia, three years at Sevilla, and three years at Villarreal. It depends how we are, as well, building everything and being motivated,” Emery said.

“The motivation is the most important, and the objectives. If you can achieve the objectives and have consistency to improve and get better, this is the most important. Now we are in this process.”

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Villa captain, John McGinn, still sees Emery with “the same hunger and desire” now as he had during his first week at the club as he did four years ago.

“I need them. I need them sometimes giving me energy,” Emery said in response to the midfielder's comments. “John McGinn is a fantastic player, guy, professional, and he has energy as well. He has something special with Aston Villa at Villa Park; there is a connection. I need them, I need him.

“So, we need to be together to build our emotions collectively and our ambitions and energy individually. I am very, very motivated for the match tomorrow and motivated for the Champions League, and for next Wednesday against Bournemouth.

“Why? I am enjoying how the players are responding and taking the challenges to improve. For me, it is a challenge as well, and the enthusiasm we can create together, and desires, is very important for me, coaches, players and the club.”

Asked what’s next to achieve at Villa, Emery said: “The future is to keep this consistency. Playing in Europe for me is very special. I have played 17 years in a row playing in Europe when I’ve coached teams. This makes me so proud and makes me want to challenge even more.

“Then to play in the Premier League, this is the most difficult in the world. I had a conversation with Guardiola two years ago, and he told me how challenging this league is. To play Europe is something that can give you prestige as a club - you can transmit a lot of things by playing in other countries My motivation is to keep the consistency that we have. Going forward, improving, getting better - and Champions League is our priority, but to play there every season is very difficult.”

Emery, however, has no plans to mark his four-year anniversary this weekend, with his full focus on facing Man City.

"I am not celebrating. The only celebration is when I can have some days off or rest,” he said. “I can remember when I came here four years ago. My birthday is November 3rd, and on my birthday I prepared for one game for 24 hours. I don't do celebrations; I only try to get better, work more, and try to enjoy the way that we are working.”