Matty Cash has expressed that Aston Villa “has no limit” under Unai Emery, just ahead of the two-year anniversary of the manager’s appointment. The Spaniard has set his sights on making the club Champions League regulars, aiming to “break barriers” in the process. Emery will mark this milestone on Thursday, having significantly turned around Villa’s fortunes. When he took charge, the club was precariously positioned above the Premier League relegation zone on goal difference. His first game in charge was a notable 3-1 win against Manchester United in November 2022.
Villa is set to host Bologna in the Champions League on Tuesday, aiming to preserve their perfect record after a memorable victory against Bayern Munich in their previous match. Cash, who joined from Nottingham Forest in September 2020, has witnessed substantial progress at the club. “In the last four years since I joined, the club has skyrocketed,” the 27-year-old defender noted. “The quality in every department has improved, and there’s no ceiling for this club. I believe it can reach the pinnacle. Participating in the Champions League has been a stepping stone, and the manager has played a crucial role in this journey. It’s fantastic to be here, and in just four years, we’ve come a long way.”
Emery emphasized that he wants Villa’s return to Europe’s elite competition, their first since 1982-83, to serve as a launchpad for future triumphs. “We are here now, but I want to remain here for a long time,” the Villa manager stated. “It’s challenging, and there might be obstacles, but we must be resilient and steadfast in our approach. We need to cultivate a strong mentality to continually push boundaries.” When asked about his most significant contribution, Emery, who extended his contract until 2029 in May, shared an initial message to his players. “The recurring message, which I conveyed from day one and still emphasize, is: ‘I don’t want to waste my time here,’” the 52-year-old explained. “‘I don’t want you to waste your time here either.’ Our goal is to maintain our current level, participate in the Champions League, and aspire to compete for trophies.”
Villa might face Samuel Iling-Junior, who joined Bologna on loan from Juventus shortly after signing. The England Under-21 winger, who has made five substitute appearances for the Serie A side, is eligible to play against his parent club.
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