Yahoo News Unai Emery in 'not comfortable' claim as he addresses Aston Villa tickets row
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says he understands the frustration fans feel about the club's pricing of Champions League tickets.
His side will play Bayern Munich, Bologna, Juventus and Celtic at Villa Park over the next few months in the opening phase of the new-look Champions League. General admission tickets for the Bayern fixture - which will take place on Wednesday, October 2 - sold out in record time for a cup game, but the prices have caused outcry among the fan base, with Villa Trust calling on the cost of seats to be changed.
Supporters who are season ticket holders in zones one and two pay £79, while those in zones three and four will have to cough up £70. Those prices increase by £15 per zone for non-season ticket-holders. In the 1888 Suite, where there are no concession tickets, every fan will pay £97, while they will set back season ticket holders by £82.
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Ahead of Villa's second home game of the season, against Everton on Saturday (5:30pm kick-off), Emery was asked about the feeling among the fan base and whether it could impact on the atmosphere at Villa Park.
"The supporters are very important for us - they are the heart of Aston Villa," he said. "They are keeping the history, the supporters. We are involved, the players, owners, coaches, workers. But the supporters too. With their families for a long time they are keeping it and they are important.
"We are increasing and playing another level, we are excited and motivated. I can understand [why] they are not comfortable with increased prices, but hopefully it will be worth it at the end of the season because we have this level and we are keeping it."
Some supporters are planning to protest against the club's pricing policy for the four home Champions League matches, and there are also plans for a protest both before and during the Everton clash, but Emery insists his full focus will be on the job in hand as Villa go in search of a first home win of the season.
"I am aware [of the protests] and I will try tomorrow to focus with our commitment with our supporters," Emery said. "Hopefully they will support us like they have done and hopefully we can connect with them.
"I respect them [the fans] and that they are not agreeing with the situation but we are increasing our level, playing Champions League and more matches. I know the supporters will support us still. I understand if they protest, but hopefully at the season, it'll be worth it. The effort they are doing, I know it and I respect it."
