When Unai Emery accepted the challenge of reviving Aston Villa at a time when the club was fretting about relegation to the Championship, he voiced his desire to return to European competition.
It was punchy, part of a grand plan and, for supporters, a particularly exciting soundbite, but back then the prospect of a Champions League quarter-final date with Paris Saint-Germain, one of Emery’s former clubs, felt fanciful. The Villa manager has unequivocally delivered on his wish. The Champions League furniture: the oversized badges, the giant tifos and 3D signage will get at least another outing this season. “Paris away, olé olé,” a delirious Holte End sang.
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