Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has emphasized the importance of instilling a “new mentality” within the club as they embark on their maiden UEFA Champions League campaign.

The Villans are no strangers to European success, having famously lifted the 1982 European Cup trophy after defeating Bayern Munich in the final.

Emery, driven by this storied legacy, is determined to restore Aston Villa’s continental prowess. “We must adopt a new mentality,” Emery stressed.

“One that embodies the ambition and resilience required to succeed at the highest level.”

As the club prepares to rub shoulders with Europe’s elite, Emery’s vision extends beyond mere participation.

He envisions the Claret and Blue draped in gold once more, with Aston Villa reclaiming their rightful place among the continent’s top-tier teams.

“I had dreams when I arrived here to play in the Champions League and be competitive in this competition,” Emery said.

“Of course, we arrived quickly and better, of course.

Even playing in the Conference League last year was quicker than maybe we expected.

“But we are going to set our new mentality, our new objective.

Because we are now not comfortable playing in the Premier League and being in the middle. We want to be competitive, get in Europe, and be consistent.

“But of course, being consistent and getting into Europe is very difficult in England because it is the hardest league in the world.”

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery insists his team will adapt to Young Boys’ artificial pitch at the Wankdorf Stadium for their Champions League debut on Tuesday, refusing to use it as an excuse.

“We have to accept and we have to adapt to the pitches we are playing. Of course, usually we are playing on normal pitches, here it is synthetic.”

“But we are going to try to adapt quickly and know what the difference is with the pitch.”

While having reached the semi-finals of last year’s Conference League, this year is a huge step up for Emery’s side, and for many in the squad, it will be their first taste of Champions League football.

The likes of Pau Torres, who reached the semi-finals with Villareal in 2022, and Ian Maatsen who played in last year’s final with Borussia Dortmund, will be some of the players that Emery will rely on when it comes to experience.

“We have players with experience; Ian Maatsen played last year and he is with us now.”

“Other players played, Pau Torres played in a semi-final three years ago. And I am playing [coaching] in Europe for 16 years in a row.

My experiences are very important, but the better experience we are trying to use and get is with Aston Villa, with Aston Villa players, with Aston Villa supporters.

“We are always remembering how amazing it was when they won the Champions League [European Cup] in 1982, and for us, it is very important.”

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Emery also gave his condolences to the family of Gary Shaw, who was a heroic figure in Villa’s 1982 European Cup winning side against Bayern Munich.

With trips to Monaco and Leipzig on the schedule, as well as visits to Birmingham from European giants Juventus and Bayern Munich, Villa face a daunting run of fixtures in the new format.

But supporters have cause for a pragmatic sense of optimism.

Emery’s stature in Europe, particularly in knockout ties, is amongst the best in the game.

The Basque manager has had remarkable consistency in the Europa and Conference League competitions, proving himself to be a specialist as he won four Europa League titles, more than anyone.

“We have to try and use our experiences from last year, how difficult it was last year to get to the semi-final in the Conference League.

And how difficult it is going to be here this year in the Champions League.”

“But we can compete here and enjoy it and feel strong playing in Europe with sharing the difficulty we have playing in the Premier League.”

Having reached the semi-final of last year’s Conference League, losing to Olympiacos, the Spaniard is already working his European magic in Birmingham.

“For me, the difference is only how we can be focussed 100%, be fit 100%, be competitive 100% – mentally, physically and tactically on the pitch.

And different cultures, different countries, different temperatures. But football and the demand of the opponent is similar.”

The 1982 European Cup triumph serves as a powerful reminder of Aston Villa’s capabilities.

Emery seeks to harness this historical momentum, infusing his squad with the winning mentality that defined that iconic team.