Harder to win in England than anywhere else, says Villa coach Emery
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery claims winning trophies in England is harder than anywhere else in the world.
9 months ago
Villa travel to Chelsea in the FA Cup fourth round on Friday as Emery steps up his bid for a first piece of silverware in English football. The 52-year-old Spaniard won Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the Coupe de la Ligue with Paris Saint-Germain.
He also lifted the Europa League with Sevilla and Villarreal. But Emery went without a trophy during a troubled spell at Arsenal that ended in the sack in 2019.
"To win a cup is very difficult, and here in England I think it's more difficult than in other countries. I want to do something but every opportunity I have is a challenge, like tomorrow. I know that everything I've done in different cups in Spain, France or England was an experience for me," he told reporters on Thursday.
"Here in England, I didn't achieve when I was at Arsenal and last year here in Aston Villa, but I haven't had many opportunities. Hopefully, I will have more. It's a trophy; it's a way to get into Europe; it's a way to feel something with our supporters in case we are going ahead in this competition."
Chelsea will face Villa on a high after reaching the League Cup final against Liverpool with a 6-2 aggregate win over Middlesbrough in midweek. Emery said he has seen improvement in Mauricio Pochettino's team, even though they are languishing in ninth place in the Premier League - 12 points behind fourth placed Villa.
"They are getting stronger and I think they are progressively getting better," Emery said. "They achieved reaching the final of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday and they're going to face us at home with their supporters. I think they will play thinking of another way to get a trophy in this competition and play in Europe."
He also lifted the Europa League with Sevilla and Villarreal. But Emery went without a trophy during a troubled spell at Arsenal that ended in the sack in 2019.
"To win a cup is very difficult, and here in England I think it's more difficult than in other countries. I want to do something but every opportunity I have is a challenge, like tomorrow. I know that everything I've done in different cups in Spain, France or England was an experience for me," he told reporters on Thursday.
"Here in England, I didn't achieve when I was at Arsenal and last year here in Aston Villa, but I haven't had many opportunities. Hopefully, I will have more. It's a trophy; it's a way to get into Europe; it's a way to feel something with our supporters in case we are going ahead in this competition."
Chelsea will face Villa on a high after reaching the League Cup final against Liverpool with a 6-2 aggregate win over Middlesbrough in midweek. Emery said he has seen improvement in Mauricio Pochettino's team, even though they are languishing in ninth place in the Premier League - 12 points behind fourth placed Villa.
"They are getting stronger and I think they are progressively getting better," Emery said. "They achieved reaching the final of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday and they're going to face us at home with their supporters. I think they will play thinking of another way to get a trophy in this competition and play in Europe."
Comments