Unai Emery has emphasized the need for his Aston Villa squad to show respect towards both Bologna and the Europa League, as they aim to secure a win against their Italian rivals in the upcoming quarter-final match.
Labeling Bologna as “a winning team,” Emery stated that Villa cannot assume the role of favorites in this encounter. He is keen to ensure that his players remain focused following a lengthy international break, during which Villa has not competed since March 22.
“Winning in Europe is extremely challenging,” Emery remarked ahead of the first leg of the quarter-finals set for Thursday evening. “It is essential to respect this competition. If you fail to give it your full attention and respect, you risk elimination. I have encountered such situations numerous times throughout my career.”
Emery, who holds the record for winning the Europa League four times as a manager, noted that Villa has faced Bologna in the previous two seasons of European play. This marks the third meeting in just 18 months between the two teams, with the first match taking place in Italy. Currently, Bologna ranks eighth in Serie A and advanced to this stage after a thrilling 4-3 victory against Roma in the round of 16.
In another match on Wednesday, Cucho Hernández scored a penalty for Real Betis, helping them draw 1-1 with Braga in the first leg of their quarter-final. Hernández converted the penalty in the 61st minute after the Braga goalkeeper had denied him earlier in the game.
Florian Grillitsch had initially given Braga the lead with an impressive backheel goal from a corner, marking his 98th appearance in UEFA’s second-tier competition, a record milestone.
Three additional quarter-final first legs are scheduled for Thursday, including Aston Villa’s clash with Bologna, Nottingham Forest’s match against Porto, and Freiburg hosting Celta Vigo.
“Bologna is a team that has demonstrated exceptional performance in recent years, winning finals such as last year’s Coppa Italia,” Emery added. “I hold them in high regard and understand the challenges that lie ahead. This round presents a significant test for us. While we are prepared, I do not want to convey the impression that we are the favorites; after the tie with Roma, it feels evenly matched.”
Emery also expressed his expectation for an electric atmosphere at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, noting, “The fans play a crucial role in creating a vibrant environment, which will be fantastic for them. For us, this encounter will be particularly tough. Each experience we gain in European away matches tends to be more challenging than playing at home. We must be mentally prepared to withstand their intensity, whether they are in possession of the ball or not, and stay attuned to the support of our own fans during the match.”
