Aston Villa boss Unai Emery vows to stick to his guns ahead of Bayern Munich clash

Unai Emery recognised the unique nature of Villa’s clash with Bayern Munich - but said he’ll not be taking any special measures.

Aston Villa’s boss described the club’s excitement at hosting the Bavarian giants in their first home game in European football’s top competition for 41 years. But he said he won’t be deviating from the tried and trusted methods that have served him so well in Birmingham.

He said: “We’re motivated and excited to be playing this match with our supporters at Villa Park. Of course, we remember the final, which was 42 years ago. But we are playing one of the best teams in the world.

“Maybe, along with three or four teams, they are the favourites to win the competition. Bayern, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Arsenal can all win the competition this year. Hopefully, we can compete and show our best.”

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While Villa are novices in the Champions League, Vincent Kompany’s club are experts. Emery said that the key to his success in Europe - he took Villarreal to the semi-final and has four Europa League triumphs to his credit - has been in using his tried and trusted methods.

He said: “Some of my players will debut in the Champions League. It’s good news for me, and them. But I won’t be changing my ideas. The most important thing for me, is to be consistent. We are playing a special match - but I will be preparing for it in exactly the same way that I always do.”

Emery is also looking forward to locking horns with Kompany again, having beaten his Burnley side twice last season. “I knew him last year here with Burnley, but his career is very recognised as a player, as a professional in football,” he said.

“As a coach, he started two or three years ago and he worked with Pep Guardiola in Manchester City. More or less, he’s been successful so quickly. With his experiences and the experience of working with Guardiola, everything I watch of him as a coach, in Burnley and now with Bayern Munich, is really huge work.

“I think he’s a coach that has a very good future and he started being successful with Burnley when he got promoted. Last year was difficult with Burnley at the beginning, favourites to get relegated.

“He didn’t achieve to keep them in the Premier League, but I always respect him a lot as a coach because the two matches we played were very difficult. With Bayern Munich and the players they have, I think it’s easier to get the level they will want to have in their league and in the Champions League.

“They have started winning matches with very good results, playing very well. Tomorrow, I know it’s a big challenge for us to try to stop them. We have to be competitive, adapt to their tactical idea and try to impose our game plan.”

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