Emery eyes Champions League to spark Villa season

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is looking to the Champions League clash against Club Brugge on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, as a potential catalyst to ignite his team's season. The Birmingham club has endured a difficult start to their Premier League campaign, accumulating just one point from their opening three matches and failing to score a goal. This mirrors slow starts in previous seasons, including last year, when the team eventually found form and qualified for the Champions League. Emery expressed confidence in his squad's ability to overcome the current challenges, noting that the team has navigated similar situations before. "We started with the Premier League as our objective at the end of the season, and we are progressing," Emery stated. "Still not enough, because we are not getting good results, but tomorrow is a new test, and a new test in Europe." He emphasized the importance of focusing on each match, with the upcoming European fixture being the immediate priority before turning attention to their next league game against Nottingham Forest. The team's struggles this season contrast with their success in recent years.