Villa’s players carried Emery on their shoulders during the celebrations in Istanbul and the Spaniard added: “Fantastic. Europe, it gave us a lot. For myself as well – a lot. I’m always very grateful for Europe. For every competition, but especially the Europa League.
“As well the clubs I work at because they show the way, as well the support I had with Valencia, with Sevilla, with Villareal and here at Villa. The owners, the players. It’s very important how everybody, we got strong in this competition and we tried to do our best. We played it in a very serious way this year – so, so focussed.
“And, of course, the players, they show their wishes. I was telling them in there, we need wishes, we need seriousness in this competition. To show on the field that you are the protagonist – and they did it!”