Unai Emery name-drops Newcastle United in sarcastic Aston Villa remark

The Villans take on their first home Champions League fixture of the season this Wednesday and it’s the most highly-anticipated one of all as six-time winners Bayern visit Villa Park.

Villa, who drew 2-2 away at Ipswich Town on Sunday, have one less day to prepare midweek’s clash as the Bavarian giants played on Saturday. The fixture schedule is ramping up and there’s been a lot of talk around if it’s a fair expectation for the players, with some teams having to face over 60 fixtures in a single season.

Emery was asked about the issue at Portman Road and made his thoughts clear, rubbishing complaints and emphasising there are no excuses if Villa want to play at the highest level.

“We are going to suspend the match on Wednesday and we are not going to play," Emery joked to Birmingham Live.

"What do we want? We want to play in Europe. We want to get the same level like other teams like [Man] City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd, Newcastle and Tottenham.

"If we don’t want it then we don’t play in Europe and we rest in the week. Fantastic for everybody. It is the challenge we have. The players, myself, the supporters, even the journalists.

"We are going to be tired, this is the level. Man City played at this level for 10 years, Liverpool for 20 years. If we don’t want to play at this level, then we don’t play in Europe and we will be comfortable playing for the top 10.

"This is our challenge and my demands as well. On Wednesday we are going to be fantastic,” Emery said.

It appears the Spaniard is fed up by the noise around the schedule and wants to focus fully on getting the utmost out of his players during what’s set to be a dream campaign for the club. Villa have waited over four decades for this opportunity, so they’re not going to waste any time by sulking.