“Those three points fills us with confidence. We are comfortable,” Unai Emery said after Aston Villa beat Viking 3-1 and made it three wins from three in the Champions League. The message was upbeat, but he was quick to keep the scope tight, with Manchester City next and plenty still to sort out.

Emery's message after the latest win

The timing matters too. Emery is marking the fourth anniversary of his appointment from Villarreal, and the mood around the club is clearly better than it was a few weeks ago. Villa have 9 points from three Champions League games and have won 12 European home matches in a row.

That run gives Emery room to speak with confidence, but he did not try to dress it up as anything finished. “I am so, so happy but we must keep moving forward with the challenges we are going to face. There's still a lot of work to do,” he said, before pointing straight at Saturday.

Manchester City and the standard Villa are chasing

Villa's domestic league form still lags behind the European results, with the club 12th in the Premier League on 8 points from 7 matches. City arrive top of the table on 21 points from 7 games, so Emery's warning is not just manager-speak for the cameras.

He wants the same atmosphere and the same energy at Villa Park, and that is the part worth watching. A team that has won 12 European home games in a row can talk about comfort, but the next domestic test is much steeper, and Emery has already set the standard for Saturday.

FAQ

Why is Unai Emery still demanding more from Aston Villa after their European run?

Emery says Villa are comfortable and confident after beating Viking 3-1 and making it three wins from three in the Champions League, but he also says there is still a lot of work to do. He wants the same atmosphere and energy against Manchester City on Saturday.

How strong is Aston Villa's start in the Champions League under Unai Emery?

Villa have won all three of their Champions League matches so far and have 9 points. They have also won 12 European home games in a row, which is a major part of the mood around Villa Park.

What did Unai Emery say before Aston Villa play Manchester City?

Emery said he was very happy but wants Villa to keep moving forward. He asked for the same atmosphere and the same energy against Manchester City on Saturday, after saying the team still have plenty of work to do.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →