It hasn’t struck half past eight in the morning and Unai Emery is now back at the Ciudad Deportiva del Aston Villa. Last night he put the Birmingham team in the Champions after beating the Liverpool in Villa Park. He went home after one in the morning, but he had no time to waste. Media Day with UEFA, training and work meetings preparing for the European final on Wednesday and a sit-down with MARCA, a privilege, to talk about everything and openly.
A bouquet of flowers that a friend in Dubai sent him is present in his office. When he has time we eat together in the first team dining room. Some meat skewers and some salad. After eating at full speed we get down to business. It’s time to talk about football, the past, the present and the future. Without avoiding anything. A calm conversation in which we even talk about chess.
Ask. How is your relationship with the Europa League?
Answer. Europe means a lot to me. First, out of gratitude to European football and, above all, to the clubs where I have been able to compete. With Valencia I started in the so-called UEFA, where we played two quarterfinals and a semifinal. At Sevilla I understood what the Europa League represented for the club and for the fans. They transmitted that competitive feeling to me and we got three.
Q. What was it like to win the Europa League with Villarreal?
A. Winning that final against Manchester was something magnificent, because it was one of the best United teams possible. I also learned from defeats, like the final against Chelsea with Arsenal. All these experiences have made me grow, not only in the Europa League, but also in the Conference and in the Champions League.
Q. How does it feel to play in a Europa League final with Aston Villa?
A. It is one more step in our growth. We come from playing in the Conference, then in the Champions League, where we reached the quarterfinals against PSG, and now we are in a Europa League final. All of this is a consequence of the path traveled. For Aston Villa it means a lot. It is prestige, it is repositioning the club in Europe, remembering that this club already won a European Cup decades ago and once again consolidating it as a great European brand.
Q. Do you remember your first game in Europe?
A. It was with Valencia, against Marítimo, in Funchal. It was a group preview and we won 0-1.
Q. What is behind the “Unai method”?
A. Success consists of doing something important and being able to repeat it over time. In my case, everything comes from my passion for football, which is my way of life. I want to compete and I want to win. That’s why I dedicate my time to working, analyzing rivals, studying my team, constantly updating myself. That is the true method.
Unai Emery, with the MARCA editor.
Q. What does this mean for Aston Villa fans?
A. The best thing is to recover the feeling. Many fans remember the club’s golden era and reliving something like that generates a lot of emotion. Football is that: feeling, identity, belonging. The Premier League has an enormous global dimension, so we also want Aston Villa to continue growing as an international reference.
Q. Is Europe Unai Emery’s personal hallmark?
A. I have been competing in Europe for 18 consecutive years between the three competitions. It has given me a lot of competitive experience. I have learned to compete better and handle maximum pressure situations.
We are building a project to consolidate ourselves among the best
Q. Do you notice that the players feel extra confidence having a coach with so much experience in these finals?
A. We are building a project to consolidate ourselves among the best. Many players were not used to competing at this level and are now accumulating important experiences. Playing in finals, competing in the Champions League, receiving calls from their national teams… all of this strengthens the group and reinforces the idea of work that we have.
Q. How do you handle pressure?
A. It has to be positive. I try to constantly occupy myself with work so that my mind is focused on what is important. That has always been my way of competing.
Q. What is the relationship with the club owners like?
A. We are very lucky with our owners. Nassir Sawiris, Wes Edens and Michael support us a lot. They have supported all of the project’s improvements, from infrastructure to sports growth. Even if they are not there on a daily basis, they always appear at important moments and convey a lot of confidence.
We face the final of the Europa League knowing that it will be very close
Q. How do you see the rival in the final?
A. Freiburg have had an extraordinary Europa League and deserve to be here. They have experienced players, very talented young people and enormous motivation. We face the final knowing that it will be very close.
Q. There are many coaches succeeding in Europe…
A. The level is very high. Luis Enrique’s level is incredible with the difficulty of leading Paris-Saint Germain, he is doing an extraordinary job. Pep is already established and is the greatest genius that I consider at the coaching level for everything he has shown in his career and continues to do so. There is also Arteta’s eruption in these years at a competitive level and also at a knowledge level. I learn a lot from all three. Then we have Iraola having some extraordinary seasons. We must also talk about Iñigo Pérez who is going to play in the final with Rayo. It is something exceptional. Of course the knowledge of their experiences and their competitiveness is there.
Chess teaches a lot about concentration and mistakes in soccer
Q. Do you do anything special before a final?
A. I try to be very busy. I prepare every detail, I talk a lot with the players, both individually and collectively. I also look for moments to disconnect, for example, I play quick games of chess. It helps me cleanse my mind and chess also teaches a lot about concentration and mistakes.
Q. Are you worried that players like Watkins or Rogers could leave?
A. I have always worked with great players. From Villa and Silva in Valencia to Neymar, Mbappé or Cavani at PSG. My priority as a coach is to help each player become better. If the player improves and the team improves, the results come as a consequence.
Q. How do you get the group to be so united?
A. The players see that the work benefits them. They see individual and collective growth. When that happens, everyone rows in the same direction and the team becomes much stronger.
Q. With everything you have achieved, I imagine you will constantly receive calls and offers…
A. Yes, of course. After so many years you live with it. But when I’m focused on competing, there’s nothing to derail me. I am completely focused on the team’s objective.