Aston Villa: Will PSG tie provide Champions League redemption for Unai Emery?
It was an inspired option, as evidenced by the positive reviews Emery received after another tactical masterclass against Club Brugge, a confounding mix of conservatism, ensuring Villa protected Villa’s 3-1 first-leg lead and scored another level for half-time replacement Marco Asensio, who scored twice and scored twice.
Villa’s manager didn’t look happy when he was isolated between them, but it was a case of no harm and he quickly got things right.
On Marcus Rashford’s loan from Manchester United, it’s seen Emery lastingly improve the player’s endurance.
He worked tirelessly and energetic, forcing Kyriani Sabbe to foul, which caused him to send him out after 16 minutes, and then put Asensio’s second (Villa’s third) on the plate after 61 minutes.
Asensio has long been the signing Emery wants and proves exactly why his doubles hit the eighth of the championship in seven games.
Emery was well aware of this stage and its strategy, and he made sure Villa had a meeting with PSG without any alarms, and the last half hour could be easily proved.
It shows his attention to detail, his comfort in this European environment and Aston Villa.
This is actually Unai Emery’s club, and its size power means he can control all aspects of football. He longed for control, and the villa gave it to him.
He brought 23 Spanish coaches to Villa’s Bodymoor Heath training headquarters, all working in strict demarcations – and the bond of Old Sevilla Ally, president of Football Operations Monchi, is crucial.
PSG will now be influenced by Emery’s usually relentless, meticulous video analysis. He will not hesitate to try to take Villa’s Odyssey further away.
Villa has mixed Premier League seasons, but they are still ranked eighth and fourth in Chelsea and only fourth in the fourth. They also made it to the quarterfinals of the championship team Preston North.
Emery talked about returning to Paris: “It was great to play in the quarterfinals. It was very difficult. It would be a huge challenge for Aston Villa for supporters, for the players, for me and my coach and me. I haven’t been back there, since I left, I haven’t been there, I haven’t been there or played in Paris.
“PSG has demonstrated their ability to Liverpool. We will try to identify our weaknesses and be prepared as best as possible. It is very important for our club to compete in the Champions League and it is exciting to play against PSG.”
Once again, Unai Emery is a man on a European mission.
