Unai Emery is relishing the chance to improve on his fine record in knockout competitions with Aston Villa, as they prepare to visit Middlesbrough in the third round of the FA Cup on Saturday.
Emery has forged a reputation as something of a knockout specialist throughout his career, winning the UEFA Europa League four times during spells with Sevilla and Villarreal.
The Spaniard also led Paris Saint-Germain to two Coupe de France triumphs and two Coupe de la Ligue victories, doing a domestic cup double in 2016-17 before adding the Ligue 1 title to make it a treble in 2017-18.
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Aston Villa have enjoyed a remarkable resurgence since he took charge in November 2022, sitting second in the Premier League table with 42 points from 20 games, three adrift of leaders Liverpool.
Speaking at Friday’s pre-match press conference, Emery said he would not treat the world’s oldest club competition lightly, with Villa rated among the favourites to lift the trophy.
“I won some titles, different cups in France with PSG, and I was asking this morning for the players’ experiences in different cup competitions where they’ve been successful,” he said.
“We are trying to build a new way with Aston Villa and the players we have here. We are going to try it in this competition because it’s a very prestigious competition here in England.
“We want to be contenders and to play in the next round. We are respecting Middlesbrough; they are going to be excited to play against us.”
Emery on his message to his squad: “To keep being consistent and to be demanding every day, with the level we want to achieve.” pic.twitter.com/xFrUDRTsWe
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 5, 2024
Villa have won the FA Cup on seven occasions, with only Arsenal (14 times), Manchester United (12), Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham (all eight) lifting the famous trophy more often.
However, their last triumph in the competition came all the way back in 1957, when a Peter McParland double saw off Matt Busby’s United in the final.
Emery is acutely aware of Villa’s history in cup competitions and sees an FA Cup run as a way to create his own legacy with the club – as well as a potential route into Europe.
“We always have to be demanding in every match we face. It’s a way for a trophy and a way to get prestige for the club, supporters and players,” Emery said.
“This is the first picture I want to show the players; prestige, fighting for a trophy and playing in the Europa League if you are successful at the end. That is another motivation.
“I will face them tomorrow morning in the meeting, sending them this message.”
Unai Emery has been nominated for the @PremierLeague‘s December Manager of the Month award! ???? pic.twitter.com/N6TCa5qTT8
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 4, 2024
