Aston Villa's head coach, Unai Emery, is calling upon his players to push their boundaries as the team prepares for a pivotal Champions League clash against RB Leipzig. This match holds special significance for Villa, as it marks their first foray into Europe’s premier competition since 1983. A win against their German counterparts, who are currently languishing at the bottom of their group without a point from five matches, would greatly bolster Villa's ambitions of advancing to the knockout stages.
As they approach this crucial encounter in Germany, Villa enter with a renewed sense of confidence, buoyed by recent performances in the Premier League. However, they are also determined to bounce back from an underwhelming run that includes a defeat to Club Brugge and a home draw against Juventus. Emery has emphasised the importance of learning from these setbacks as they gear up to face Leipzig, a side that, despite recent struggles, possesses a strong pedigree in European competitions, previously reaching the Champions League semi-finals under the stewardship of former manager Julian Nagelsmann just four seasons ago.
Emery articulated his aspirations for the match, stating, “My wish to play in this competition is because of how we can break our limit. At the beginning, we were more or less contenders to be between positions eight and 24 [in the table]. But now we have the possibility to be in the top eight. It’s about how we can face this challenge, how the players can respond, and show our capacity.” He added, “For Leipzig, not winning could jeopardize their chances of advancing, and they typically have the capacity, players, and objectives to be there.”
Midfielder Morgan Rogers, who made his England debut after a transfer from Middlesbrough, is adapting well to the demands of top-flight football. Operating just behind leading forward Ollie Watkins, Rogers reflected on the significant elevation in intensity: “I thought the Championship was hard, but this is a whole new level. It's about eating, sleeping, and training right. You have to understand your body better than anyone else. Everyone has different strategies, but it’s crucial to be ready when the whistle blows.”
Emery also explored the tactical possibilities of fielding Watkins alongside Jhon Duran in attack, highlighting the synergies between their differing skill sets. “They are both very good strikers with different experiences,” he remarked. “Watkins is gaining valuable experience internationally and in Europe, remaining consistent and competitive in every match. Duran possesses immense potential and is showing marked improvement. My next challenge is to utilise both players effectively.”
The journey to the pre-match press conference at the Red Bull Arena was complicated by heavy traffic caused by fans attending a nearby Slipknot concert. Ahead of the match, Villa will be without Leon Bailey due to a minor hamstring issue, while Jacob Ramsey is expected to return following a hamstring injury that kept him sidelined during last month’s defeat to Liverpool. As Aston Villa looks forward to this critical fixture, Emery maintains an optimistic outlook on his team's capabilities and their potential to make a significant impact in this year’s Champions League.