Unai Emery working from blank canvas ahead of crunch Europa Conference clash

Villa host Olympiacos on Thursday in the first leg of a Europa Conference League semi-final with Emery targeting the fifth European final of his illustrious career.

The Spaniard, who yesterday marked his 18-month anniversary as Villa boss, is a four-time Europa League winner and boasts a track record in continental competition the envy of many rivals.

But Emery insists it is only what happens next which is important.

He said: “I don’t want to remember my past in Europe. Of course, I know it’s successful more than less, playing a lot of seasons in a row for a long time.

“I want to focus on each moment because the past is important for my experiences and my achievements but not for the future. The future is about whether we can create this success again if we can build something.

“It’s only practicing with the players we have and the club I am at that I can use my experiences to give in some moments with the players. It’s about creating a new way and trying to enjoy a new way. I know football is only about winning.”

Villa are the last remaining English club in European competition and have also excelled in the Premier League, having already secured their highest finish since 1997.

Emery believes the strength of the top flight makes it difficult to achieve success on two fronts but is determined his team keep pushing.

“We must be focused 100 per cent in preparation for every game if we want to be successful in our league and to combine it with Europe is a difficult challenge,” he said.

“To be at the stage we are now is maybe the best we could have hoped for at the start of the season. But then as we have done better through the year, what we have achieved is not as a surprise.

“To keep it going for a long time is difficult. We are now contenders to finish fourth in the Premier League and to reach the final of the Europa Conference League. Our idea is to keep progressing.

“Our first objective all season has been to finish as high as we can in the Premier League but we have never refused to treat the Conference League properly.

“Our first experience this year with Villa (in Europe), I feel we are really in good connection, enjoying the competition and each moment we’re playing. The semi-final is for us a very exciting moment.”