Aston Villa's Pau Torres has spoken out about his future at the club
Pau Torres of Aston Villa
Pau Torres of Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)
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Pau Torres says he would be happy to see out his contract at Aston Villa, with the Spanish influence at the club making it feel like a home away from home.
The centre-back joined Villa in the summer of 2023 and made his 100th appearance for the club across all competitions before the March international break, in the 2-0 win over West Ham.
Torres was a key target for Unai Emery after he took over in November 2022, some 17 months after winning the Europa League alongside his compatriot at Villarreal.
Since then, he has played an important role in Villa’s progress under Emery, with the club reaching its third European quarter-final in as many seasons earlier this month, having advanced past Lille in the Europa League.
Torres, who is contracted to Villa until 2028, is well settled in Birmingham with his young family.
“Yes, I'm fine. My family is doing well there. The club is doing well and growing,” Torres responded to Marca when asked if he is happy in Birmingham. “We're going to play in European competition, barring any unforeseen circumstances, for another year; we don't know which one yet.
“We're achieving good things, and that's the plan. To keep playing in the Premier League, to keep playing in Europe. I think it's something that brings me positive things, and I see myself there until the end of my contract.”
“I also really valued joining a league like the Premier League with a manager I already knew, like Unai, who knew me,” he continued. “He knew what I could contribute to his style of play and to the team.
“In the end, it's something I also appreciated because I see other teammates who perhaps take the step to go to the Premier League and don't get the consistent playing time they want.
“It's harder for them to break into the team. I'm convinced it was the right decision. We've managed to play in Europe all these years, compete on equal terms with any team, and I think we have a very good club."
Speaking of the Spanish influence at Villa, Torres said: “It makes you feel a bit at home, even though you're far away. They're doing an exceptional job across the board, day in and day out.
“As you mentioned, we have Spaniards in every position within the club. From Damian, as CEO, who's managing things very well. Then we have many Spanish analysts, Spanish assistants to Unai, there are Spanish people in the gym, and some physiotherapists too.
“I think they're doing great things, they're valued for their work, and the work is excellent, as the results show.”
Villa are targeting silverware in the form of the Europa League in the final months of the season, while also aiming to maintain their position in the Premier League’s top five - a finish that would secure a return to the Champions League.
“For us, if we finish the season and qualify for the Champions League through the league, it's a very positive thing that really highlights the level of the Premier League and the financial strength of many teams,” Torres said.
“Ultimately, we have money; it's a club with money, but also because of the consistency in our spending. We haven't had particularly high expenditures in recent seasons.
“I think we have a core group that has been working together for many years, and the new players quickly grasp the ideas of the manager and his staff, and with that, we're able to compete against very important teams.
“It's historic for them to qualify for the Champions League because they haven't played in this competition for 40 years, and if we manage to qualify again in these four years we've been there, it will be a very positive thing."
He added: "It's clear that qualifying for Europe is the best thing that could happen to the club to achieve stability. The only thing people will truly remember is if we win a title. This year we have that opportunity; we're in the Europa League quarter-finals, a competition we really enjoy.
"Last year we reached the FA Cup semi-finals and also the Conference League semi-finals. We're right on the verge of a final, and hopefully, we can make it this year."
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