Emery Laser-Focused: Arsenal Clash Takes Backseat to Euro Quest

As the European campaign intensifies, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has emphatically shut down any potential distractions surrounding his side’s forthcoming Premier League clash against former employers Arsenal. With Villa readying for their Europa Conference League quarter-final first leg against French outfit Lille, Emery’s singular focus lies squarely on progressing in the continent’s third-tier competition.

“No way,” the Spaniard asserted when questioned if the Arsenal fixture could influence his team selection for Thursday’s European tie. “We are speaking about the match tomorrow in the Europa Conference League, we are not thinking about the match we are going to play. No way, it is not good for us or for me or everybody. I want to focus on the match tomorrow only.”

His resolute mindset underlines the significance Villa have placed on their long-awaited European quarter-final berth – their first in over two decades. Despite the glamour associated with locking horns against the Premier League pacesetters Arsenal this weekend, Emery is refusing to allow his players’ concentration to drift from the immediate European challenge posed by Lille.

The former Gunners boss recognizes the threat posed by the Ligue 1 side, who have been afforded an added advantage courtesy of the French football authorities’ decision to postpone their domestic fixture to prioritize preparation for the second leg at Villa Park.

“They are focusing on this competition and this quarter-final, not playing between the two matches in the French Ligue 1,” Emery acknowledged. “They are fourth in the league and they are focusing. They have good players with experience in Europe. They have a good coach in (Paulo) Fonseca, who I respect. They are a very competitive team and a tactically very good coach.”

Nevertheless, Emery exudes confidence in his squad’s ability to navigate the challenges presented by both fronts. “I think we have a really good squad, really good team with enough players to 100 per cent each game, both competitions,” the 51-year-old proclaimed.

As Villa vie to end their 26-year wait for a European semi-final on home soil, Emery has issued a rallying cry to his troops. “We want to leave with our supporters after 26 years a quarter-final at home and we want to play another game in front of them so it means we will be in a semi-final.”

With pivotal fixtures looming thick and fast, the former Sevilla and Paris Saint-Germain manager understands the magnitude of the coming weeks. “This month and a half is the most important and we need every player focused on it.”

For Emery and his Villa charges, any thoughts of potential Premier League redemption against former employers must be shelved as they chase an improbable European dream. The road to continental glory starts here, with Lille firmly in their sights as domestic priorities are temporarily sacrificed on the altar of pan-European ambition.