\n<\/p>\n
Emery replaced Steven Gerrard as Villa manager in October 2022<\/a> with Villa hovering just above the relegation zone on goal difference.<\/p>\n The former Arsenal<\/a> and Villarreal boss brought with him his own backroom staff, with many of the old guard departing. <\/p>\n Former Sevilla goalkeeper Monchi also joined as Villa’s president of football operations in June 2023 – having previously worked with Emery at Sevilla and winning three Europa League titles together.<\/p>\n Emery immediately made an impact, imposing structure, clarity and belief on a Villa side that was once again flirting with relegation to guide them to a top\u2011seven finish and European qualification in his first season.<\/p>\n The following campaign proved the progress was no fluke. <\/p>\n Turning Villa Park into a fortress, they established themselves as a top\u2011four contender during 2023-24 while also reaching the semi-finals of the Conference League, where they were beaten 6-2 on aggregate by Olympiakos<\/a>. <\/p>\n “The first year we got here in the Conference League, a lot of us hadn’t played in Europe so when we got to the latter stages there was a lot of pressure,” Watkins said. <\/p>\n “Each year we’ve learned and taken something from it. And to trust the manager because he’s so experienced in this competition. He’s won it numerous times so we believe in what he tells us and keep going.” <\/p>\n A first taste of top-tier European competition since 1982-83 came last season when they reached the Champions League quarter-finals against Emery’s former side Paris St-Germain. <\/p>\n