Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has reflected on his previous time with Paris Saint-Germain, revealing that he is “very thankful” for his time at Parc des Princes.
Emery takes his Premier League side to the home of PSG on Wednesday night for the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.
Prior to taking over at Arsenal in 2018, Emery spent a two-year period in the French capital, recording 87 victories from his 114 matches in charge.
With one Ligue 1 title and seven trophies in total, the Spaniard can look back at his time at PSG with fond memories, but Wednesday’s fixture will mark the first time that he has taken charge of a match in the away dugout.
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“It is something special”
When speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, his history with PSG was a natural topic of conversation, Emery admitting that he is relishing the opportunity to return to Parc des Princes.
Emery told reporters: “I spent two years here. I am very thankful and I learned and had experiences.
“I am trying to transform for my moment now as a coach. Feeling good.”
He added: “It is the first time I am here again in Paris. It is something special for me and I am very proud of how I am coming back here playing Champions League with Aston Villa.”
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Emery heaps praise on PSG boss
Emery is squaring off against a team managed by Luis Enrique for the first time since 2017, each of their 10 tussles taking place across a four-year period.
With just two wins to his name across that batch of games, Emery is aware of the task ahead of him and his team with PSG having emerged victorious in 16 of their most recent 17 games in all competitions.
He said: “He is one of the best coaches in the world. I faced him a lot of times and always it is difficult tactically.
“He is very demanding with how he is creating and building his team. They are very good in pressing and with the ball they are a team who keeps the ball and being so aggressive and intense in each action.”
As well as Emery, Villa will be looking to make their own history when they take to the pitch in France.
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