The Israeli club’s supporters were banned from attending due to fears over their safety.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery did not take questions on the political issues surrounding the Europa League game (Jacob King/PA)open image in gallery
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery did not take questions on the political issues surrounding the Europa League game (Jacob King/PA) (PA Wire)
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Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was only focused on the football ahead of the politically-charged Europa League clash with Maccabi Tel Aviv.
The league phase match at Villa Park has become a major political issue after the Israeli club’s supporters were banned from attending due to fears over their safety.
The decision was made by Birmingham’s Safety Advisory Group, with Villa having no involvement, but it sparked a parliamentary-level debate as prime minister Sir Keir Starmer called it “wrong”.
More than 700 police officers will be deployed amid a huge security operation, which will involve police horses, police dogs and a drone unit.
The fixture has become more than a football match but journalists were prevented from asking any non-football questions at Emery’s pre-match press conference.
The Spaniard is only interested in the football and said: “It’s Europe and we are playing in Europe against very good teams. Firstly, it’s about our respect for the Europa League, for the competition. Secondly, it’s about our respect for Maccabi Tel Aviv.
“How we are in the table is most important. We are going into matchday four, playing at home, and when we played against Bologna at home we won.
“Tomorrow is very important, even more after the last match we lost in the Netherlands. Tomorrow is being very important for the points.
“The objective is to be in the top 24 but the first priority we can achieve to be in the top eight is better. We’re playing the game tomorrow to really get our best collectively.
“We want to enjoy the way through the Europa League.”
Meanwhile, club captain John McGinn has signed a new contract, keeping him at the club until 2028.
The Scotland international joined the club in 2018 from Scottish side Hibs and has been an integral part of Villa’s rise over recent months.
Emery said: “Three years we have worked together and in those years he has shown us and shown me how he leads the team.
“The most important thing is how he responds in the field. His commitment with Aston Villa is a huge committment.
“He is going to be an important player for us.”