In the Europa League round of 16, Aston Villa beat Lille 1-0 away from home, becoming the only Premier League team to win in the first legs of the Champions League and Europa League round of 16 ties this week. The other eight Premier League sides all failed to claim a victory.
After the match, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery was asked about this topic in the post-match press conference.
…Are you apologising for mentioning the European results of other English sides to your players – just to illustrate your point?
Emery:
“No, not at all. Everyone’s situation is different, but the results from yesterday’s games were really something: wow! It’s so difficult for Premier League teams on the European stage.
“We can say the Premier League is probably the best league in the world, the most competitive, the most physical, and with the highest overall level, but it’s by no means easy to hold your own in European competitions.
“I’m well aware of that, and yesterday’s results are a perfect example. We didn’t talk about it too much in the dressing room, just mentioned it briefly, to make sure the lads take this competition seriously and respect the challenge of playing away.”
