Emery dedicates Europa League trophy to Villa players, supporters
Aston Villa coach Unai Emery has showered encomiums on his players, owners and the club’s supporters following their Europa League triumph on Wednesday.
Aston Villa defeated Freiburg 3-0 to win their first major European trophy in 44 years thanks to goals from Youri Tielemans, Emi Buendia, Morgan Rogers.
Emery, who has enjoyed a successful time in the competition with five trophies in six finals dedicated the victory to the players.
He said: “I am thankful to [co-owners] Nassef [Sawiris] and Wes [Edens]… they are always supporting. I am thankful to the supporters and I am thankful for the players.
“All the times I am successful in this competition I need good players. Now I am so thankful for the players, they are following our ambitions.
“They are protagonists on the field. This is the reason I am not feeling the king in this competition. I am feeling really thankful – we are the kings together.
“After 1982 the club won the European Cup, it was something they were missing – the supporters – a trophy. Achieving this one is making us so, so happy but we are not going to stop.”
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The Spanish manager urged the club to build on the Europa League success to keep them in contention for silverware.
Emery concluded: “I am myself ambitious and of course I need support. The owners, everyone that works in the club. Development is everything,” he said.
“The players are following us. We are doing it together. But we must try to set this ambition, being clear and realistic. As a team, ambitious and improving. This is our next step.
“We are getting stronger but we are trying to be demanding. Next year we will play in Champions League and the Premier League is the most difficult in the world. This is the challenge.
“This final is confirmation of how we are progressing. It is very important.
“Of course my dream was to play in Europe and play to win trophies. We played the Conference League semi-final and Champions League quarter-finals. We were very close.
“This club won the European title in 1982. And again competing for a title in Europe is something which makes sense of everything we are doing.”
Villa last won a major continental trophy when they stunned Bayern Munich to win the 1982 European Cup.
