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'Give it a shot' - Aston Villa's European expectations tapered despite Unai Emery influence
We’re delighted to welcome Aston Villa podcaster Ty Bracey as our exclusive Aston Villa columnist each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at the club…
Ty Bracey has set no expectations for Aston Villa’s return to European football next season. Still, he claims with the high-quality football produced by Unai Emery, the Villans could go far.
Villa, against the odds, earned themselves a spot in the Europa Conference League next season after a 7th-place finish. He found the club in disarray after Steven Gerrard was sacked leaving the club flirting with a relegation battle in 17th place.
Nine months later and Aston Villa look to be European contenders again after the shrewd signings of Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans while they eye up moves for Moussa Diaby and Brennen Johnson [Telegraph].
From the pits of a return to the Championship to hopes of a West Ham-style European fairytale, Ty Bracey has tapered his expectations and has his eyes set on a beautiful return to continental football rather than winning it, for now.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bracey said: “I think every competition is a priority. Every club goes in hoping to progress at every stage.
“I don’t really have an expectation if I’m honest. The way we were playing, there’s no reason why we can’t go up and give Europe a good go.
“We’ve had that season of progression and were lucky to get a spot in Europe under Unai.
“I don’t have any expectations, I’m just excited for the European nights and us giving Europe a go because all we can do is give it a shot.
“I’m very excited about it and it’s an unknown for younger Villa fans. I’m just collectively excited for everybody to see us play Slavia Prague and teams like that. It’s something that the younger generation hasn’t managed to see.”
In other Aston Villa news, Bracey claims this Brazillian’s Villa Park tenure has been an ‘anti-climax’ amid his links to Saudi Arabia.