Pride was the overwhelming emotion for Unai Emery after he guided Aston Villa back into Europe.
A 2-1 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion on the final day of the Premier League season at Villa Park secured a seventh-place finish and ended a 13-year absence from European competition.
And the club’s head coach was delighted at the prospect of competing in the Europa Conference League next season.
“I’m very proud of our work, our supporters, the club, everybody that works here,” he said.
“It’s important because we’re going to be one step ahead in our objective to be in Europe. To play in the Conference League is very important.
“We’re adding the possibility of another trophy because it’s very difficult in the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup. Our objective and ambitions will be to try and always be a candidate to get a trophy.
“To play in Europe for the club and the coaches, because I was playing 15 years in a row in Europe, so to get that again next year is fantastic for me individually and I’m very happy playing in Europe.
“We are going to add more matches and more difficult moments, but I want a competitive team. I’m going to be really, really demanding to play as well as possible and taking more challenges. Playing in Europe is it.”
Villa Park was a cauldron of noise from before kick-off through to the final whistle, roaring their team to the win.
As always, Emery was quick to acknowledge the fans and the role they played in getting Villa over the line.
He said: “It was fantastic. Their support is really important always, at home and away.
“Today, to get it with them was magnificent because we could share with them our emotion, our energy and our game plan.
“They brought us energy and support. We are very proud of them and we want to share moments like today with them.”
POST MATCH | Unai Emery on 2-1 Victory Over Brighton
