After the **Europa League**draw, Ahmed Elmohamady spoke to the press as a representative for Aston Villa. He has faith in what the club can do with the "experience" of the players and the boss.
‘We have got a very good manager’
Elmohamady expressed his happiness with the seven opponents on the list for the league phase.
*“I think it was a good draw to be honest. Some interesting teams in that draw, some strong teams, experienced ones, Feyenoord, Fenerbahce. These are going to be some exciting games for us.”*
The team are in safe hands. Unai Emery won the tournament three times in a row between 2014 and 2016 with Sevilla, reached the final with **Arsenal**in 2019, and won it again with **Villarreal**in 2021.
*“We have got a very good manager experienced in this competition so I’m looking forward to it. He’s experienced in the Europa League. He holds the record there, so the fans are really excited.”*
He has steered the side to three consecutive continental campaigns. The first involved a run to the final four of the Conference League before an exit against eventual champions Olympiacos. It was the same story against PSG in the quarter-finals of the Champions League earlier this year.
*“We’ve been in European competitions the last few years, doing well in the Champions League, we got to the quarter-final, being knocked out by the winner of the competition, Paris Saint-Germain.”*
At the third attempt, Villa want to go all the way and end their 29-year wait for a major title. To add to their heritage after winning the 1982 European Cup, the supporters at Villa Park will be integral.
The players have not tasted defeat at their home since a 2-0 loss to **Arsenal**last August. Even the Parisians fell to a 3-2 beating in April, and the Villans would hope to extend this successful streak.
*“It was a very good experience for us, the players. We got someone experienced in European competition and players with experience of European nights, especially those nights at Villa Park.”*