The impressive coach will host Daniel Farke's Leeds United at Elland Road in a few hours.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has issued a plea for a 'full throttle' Villa Park to help them overcome a Leeds United side he believes belongs in the Premier League.
The Whites take on the side sitting in third place in the Premier League hoping to continue their largely consistent form. Leeds have lost just twice in 15 outings and battled back from a 2-0 deficit to draw at Chelsea after winning their last Premier League home game against Nottingham Forest.
Emery recalled the first clash between the two teams this season in his programme notes, referencing the intensity Leeds brought to a fixture that Villa won 2-1.
"I would like to welcome Daniel Farke, his players and his staff and a Leeds team that will be so motivated to compete today," he said. "We welcome none other than one of the historic clubs of English football, Leeds United - a club that has returned to the Premier League and is showing that it belongs right where it is. When we played at Elland Road, we were able to feel the intensity, good football and physical strength of Farke's team, a coach for whom I have tremendous respect and admiration.
"Leeds have also been demonstrating their ability away from home in recent matches and always getting great performances, despite sometimes not getting the points, as happened in Newcastle."
Villa's season has been impressive, both domestically and in Europe, but their last four games have yielded just one win. They lost 1-0 to Brentford at home and exited the FA Cup at the hands of Newcastle United, albeit after going down to 10 men. Emery wants the home supporters to respond to the Leeds game in the way they did during the cup defeat.
"Today we're going to need your energy at full throttle - just like you showed against Newcastle, when despite the defeat, we felt a completely committed Villa Park behind us," he said. "That's how it has to be, and that's exactly what we'll need to secure points at home for the rest of the season."
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