Ezri Konsa can’t wait to experience European football under the lights at Villa Park.
Aston Villa welcome HŠK Zrinjski to B6 on matchday two of the UEFA Europa Conference League on Thursday.
The Villans will be looking to get the first points of their Group E campaign amid what promises to be a special atmosphere.
Villa Park will host a European group stage match for the first time since 2008/09, and Konsa is excited for the encounter.
“I’m looking forward to it very much,” said the centre-back.
“It’s our first game at home in European competition for some time now, we know how much it means to the fans and for us as players.
“For some of us, it was our first experience in Poland playing European football and I feel some of the young boys who are coming into the squad, it’s a great opportunity for them to experience it as well.”
Konsa added: “I’m looking forward to seeing it.
“I know it’s going to be loud, the fans are going to be behind us for the 90 minutes and hopefully we can get the win for them as well.
“Villa Park is home.
“When you play at home, you know you’ve got 40,000-odd people behind us who push us every game.
“It’s going to be a special night for us players and for the fans.”
Unai Emery’s side fell to a frustrating 3-2 defeat against Legia Warszawa in Poland on matchday one last month.
Amid a raucous atmosphere in the Polish capital, the hosts took the lead after just three minutes before Jhon Durán quickly levelled matters.
Villa once again had to come from behind as Lucas Digne’s deflected strike ensured it was 2-2 at the break, but Ernest Muci’s second goal of the night after the restart ensured the hosts claimed the spoils.
And Konsa feels lessons can certainly be learned from that defeat.
“For me personally, the big difference was the atmosphere,” he said.
“Playing in a different country, most of us haven’t done that before and just getting used to playing away from home in a different country.
“Keeping our heads, staying focused in what was a difficult game.
“It was one of those where you couldn’t even hear each other, so you just had to go off our gameplan. And we didn’t quite do that.
“But I’m sure tomorrow will be a different game.”
