**The Premier League may be on pause as the international break takes charge, but Aston Villa certainly haven’t.**
Unai Emery’s side has flown to Spain for a short but meticulously planned training camp designed to sharpen them for a huge end of the season.
The Villans currently sit fourth, just a point off third, and with a Europa League quarterfinal against Bologna looming, this trip is no holiday. It’s very much a strategic one for Emery and his team.
Why Villa chose Murcia
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[Marca detail the training camp in a report today](https://www.marca.com/futbol/premier-league/2026/03/28/asi-descansa-equipo-premier-espana.html), after being allowed a look behind the curtains. And they’re impressed by what they saw.
According to the Spanish newspaper, the day starts early. Players walks from their rooms to the training pitch, for a session led by Paco Ayestarán. Unai Emery takes over proceedings later.
While there’s an open-air gym, music and a relaxed atmosphere, it all disappears the moment the drills begin. Emery spends the session constantly correcting, adjusting and pushing.
Breaks aren’t really breaks. The work continues, with younger players given ‘ghost work’, detailed, individual corrections designed to get them to their best.
Marca say the ‘first thing that catches your eye’ is the physique of the Premier League outfit. They’re like rocks, built for the demands of the toughest league in Europe.
Life at Hilton La Torre
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Back at the hotel, the Hilton La Torre, the routine is just as structured. Three travelling chefs oversee nutrition, ensuring everyone refuels properly.
In total there’s 60 in the team, including players, coaches, trainers, staff, security, cooks and press.
Between sessions there’s time for golf, downtime in the sun and recovery work in elite facilities.
The environment is a calm one, but the purpose is clear; keep Aston Villa sharp, ready and competitive between now and the end of the season.
Elite planning
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It may be a trip to Spain, but it’s no jolly for Aston Villa. It isn’t about relaxation. It’s about preparation.
Emery and his side know what’s coming and ‘no one lets their guard down’. Marca insist there’s no magic formulas, just hard work, planning and skill.
That will be important in a run that includes a push for the Champions League and a European knockout tie. Whether it works as intended, will be determined at the end of the season.