Unai Emery outlines Celtic 'respect' as Aston Villa boss bares all over haunting Champions League battles with Rodgers
Unan Emery insists his previous run-ins with Celtic and Brendan Rodgers will go out the window at Villa Park, reports Michael Gannon from Birmingham.
And he warned his Premier League big guns the Scottish champs are piling down south looking to WIN.
The Spaniard squared up with Celts under Rodgers as PSG boss – and thumped the Hoops 7-1 in Paris and hit five at Parkhead.
Emery also came a cropper when Neil Lennon’s side defeated his Spartak Moscow side 3-2 in Russia to blast into the Champions League last 16.
The Villa gaffer insisted the past clashes are ancient history but he’s wary of Celtic’s current side after being impressed at the displays in Europe this season.
Emery said: “I played against Celtic with other clubs – but it doesn’t matter for this one. Brendan Rodgers is a fantastic coach. He’s shown it at Leicester and of course Celtic, but also going back to Swansea and Liverpool.
“The last time we were together it was at Leicester City and it was always difficult against teams he managed. It was a different moment with PSG, with different teams. I also played Celtic with Spartak and that was a different moment too.
“This time we will respect them. They are a winning team and they have a winning mentality.
"They are used to winning every week in the league. They have experience, international players, and they will be feeling confident coming here to face us.
“They will feel they can get close to us in terms of performances. I have analysed them and they are in this position because they have a good coach and good players. The have players who now feel like Champions League players. We will need to be ready for that at the start of the match.
“I have analysed them and watched their matches in this competition. I have no doubt they will come here trying to beat us. We are facing a prestigious club – a club that has won the Champions League before.
“We are excited for our supporters to have a match like this to enjoy. It’s a very good opponent and a special rivalry for the supporters. Although it’s at Villa Park, I know there will be a lot of Celtic supporters here.”
Hoops daft Villa hero John McGinn is struggling to be fit for the clash but Emery is hoping to have his skipper on board.
He said: “It’s maybe a special match for him – but it’s special for me too and I’m not Scottish.
“It’s always special being involved in Europe. For him, he has that same mentality. It was special against Young Boys in the first game and this will be special as well. Firstly, professionally, I want the best from him on the pitch and to play.
“Personally, as a captain we can have a relationship and a respect for one another. But most importantly it is how he plays.”
Villa have been hit by several crock concerns with Tyrone Mings added to the injury list. But the EPL outfit are going all out for three points as they look to seal a spot in the top eight to bypass the play-off stage.
Emery said: “We have 13 points and have the possibility of finishing in the top eight – we have done fantastically well in the completion. Of course I want to be in the top eight. Last week I was a bit pessimistic after the Monaco game but I am more positive.
“It’s not in our hands but we have to win and see. We are excited and motivated. We have injured players, but it is the same everywhere. I am confident and I believe in the squad. We have to be ready to produce a performance with the players we have.”
