Unai Emery used his programme notes ahead of Aston Villa’s clash with Fenerbahce in the Champions League on Wednesday night to send a clear message to fans

Unai Emery insists Aston Villa must "accept, not cry" about the North Stand closure this season as his side host Fenerbahce on Wednesday night. It will be Villa’s fourth home match of the season, following defeats to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest and a 2-2 draw with Brentford last time out.

Home form has been a foundation of Villa’s success under Emery. In fact, since the start of last season, Villa have won more home games than any other team in major European competition.

Should they beat Fenerbahce, they will become only the third team this century - after Manchester City (2022-24) and Manchester United (2006-08) - to win more than 10 consecutive home matches in European competition.

Addressing the North Stand closure, Emery wrote in his programme notes: “We all know that this season is different. We must accept the sacrifice of being without the North Stand, but we also understand that it is for the greater good. Because next season, and for many years to come, Villa Park will be a stadium with greater capacity, improved facilities and an even more extraordinary atmosphere.

“To compare, it is like when we have an injured important player; we must accept, not cry, and everyone has to deliver their best to overcome this situation. Not ideal, but never an excuse. Quite the opposite.

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“We are aware of the challenge, so we must redouble our efforts to focus and avoid any negative thoughts, and you, the fans, you also have to raise our energy levels and support more than ever. Players and supporters alike must step up and give that little bit extra to make up for the temporary absence of one of our stands. We can make it together.

“And having said all that, I am expecting an incredibly demanding match against Fenerbahçe. We are facing top-class opposition, a club that has assembled a squad full of talent, with tremendous pulling power when it comes to attracting outstanding players. There is absolutely no doubt that they possess the quality, the pedigree and the ambition to compete at Champions League level.

“A great European night awaits us. And we have to rise to the occasion, to the standards of this competition, to the history of our stadium and, above all, to the expectations of our supporters.”

He added: “A magnificent stage for an equally magnificent competition. For me, there is absolutely no doubt that this is the greatest international club competition in the world, and by a considerable distance. Are we privileged people? Yes, but more precisely we are rightfully entitled to dream and be part of this dream scenario. We have earned it all together. Now we must be at the level and enjoy it properly.

“Nothing compares to the Champions League. This is where you find the best players, the best teams and, above all, clubs that have earned the right to be here through extraordinary merit. Because qualifying for this competition is incredibly difficult, extremely hard here in England, where there are probably more than ten teams with the quality to compete at this level and the resources and ambition to fight for qualifying.

“We are talking about great football clubs, all of whom dream of being exactly where we are today: at Villa Park, hearing the Champions League anthem, experiencing all the emotion, the grandeur and the unique sense of occasion that comes with hosting this competition in our own stadium.

“We have already enjoyed some wonderful European experiences at home. Two years ago we were bouncing with Bayern, Juventus, Celtic, Bologna, Club Brugge and PSG. Today we are starting a new pathway at home, continuing our successful opening in Belgium, and today we have another opportunity to show what we are made of. It is another important test, both for the team and for our supporters.”