Unai Emery
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has urged his squad to embrace the club’s rich history as they prepare to take on Feyenoord at De Kuip on Thursday night. The Rotterdam stadium, which seats 51,000, holds a special place in Villa’s history, being the venue where they secured a memorable 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich in the European Cup final over 43 years ago. Emery believes that a win in their return to this iconic stadium would add significant value to the three points at stake.
Unai Emery said: “In 1982 Aston Villa won here. Last year we played against Bayern Munich, the team they faced. That was something very special. Today we can remember this for our supporters. A lot of them were here, and we are now back. This is European football, something special. We can add this detail because it is something very special for Aston Villa as a club and for Aston Villa supporters. We are respecting them as well because they won the European Cup in 1970 and the UEFA Cup as well. Of course, the atmosphere here is so, so close for European football because Feyenoord are always in the Champions League or Europa League.”
Emery emphasized the importance of connecting with the club’s past achievements to inspire current performances. He acknowledged that the atmosphere at De Kuip is formidable, with Feyenoord having a strong record at home, including victories over Bayern and Milan in the Champions League last season.
Unai Emery said: “Asked if modern players feel that history is like the fans, Emery said: ‘We need to show and to get emotions. We have to feel it. We have to feel history and the present, so we can create something. Each player too. I feel it. I played in Europe lots of years in a row, and for me it is so, so special. I like to show my emotions and share them with the fans. We have to feel it collectively, something special.'”
Feyenoord have maintained an impressive home record this season, winning all four matches and conceding only one goal against Fenerbahce. Emery, who previously managed at De Kuip with Sevilla, understands the challenge that awaits his team.
Unai Emery said: “Feyenoord performed fantastically in the Champions League, and every team who played them here were struggling. Every team who played here. I managed here myself for Sevilla, and we lost 2-0 in 2015. I know this environment is really supporting them and acts like another player for them. We have to dominate through our personality and try to stop them.”
As Villa prepare for this significant encounter, Emery’s call to harness the club’s storied past could prove pivotal in motivating his players to rise to the occasion. The match will be available for fans to watch on the TNT Sports Prime Video channel.
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