Thiago Motta Not Surprised By Unai Emery's Success At Aston Villa Ahead Of Champions League Match

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Thiago Motta, the Juventus coach, expressed no surprise at Unai Emery's success with Aston Villa. Juventus will face Villa at Villa Park in the Champions League on Wednesday. Despite a strong start with three wins, Villa recently lost to Club Brugge, dropping from the top spot. Their Premier League performance has been inconsistent, yet Emery's leadership has transformed them from relegation candidates to one of Europe's elite teams.

Reflecting on his experiences, Motta stated, "Like all the coaches I've had, I've tried to improve and learn." He praised Emery's long-standing high-level coaching and acknowledged his achievements in a challenging league like the Premier League. Motta emphasised approaching the upcoming match with humility and determination for a strong performance.

This encounter marks the third time Villa and Juventus meet in the European Cup/Champions League. Their previous meetings were during the 1982-83 quarter-finals when Juventus triumphed 5-2 on aggregate. The Italian side advanced to become runners-up that season. Currently, Juventus remains unbeaten in Serie A after a goalless draw against Milan over the weekend.

Motta highlighted their readiness for facing a formidable team like Villa. "Tomorrow we will face a great team and we will take the field determined to do our job," he said. Reflecting on their recent match against Milan, he noted their effective control without allowing counter-attacks. Against Villa, known for their quick breaks, he stressed teamwork in both defence and attack.

Dusan Vlahovic has been pivotal for Juventus in away Champions League matches, contributing five goals in six appearances. However, injuries have sidelined him along with several teammates. Motta remarked that injuries are not unique to them nor random occurrences. He believes it's unproductive to seek reasons now but instead focus on adapting and giving extra effort.