Unai Emery points out new Aston Villa reality as Bayern Munich rest up
Unai Emery insists Aston Villa have no grounds to moan about Bayern Munich having more recovery time for Wednesday's Champions League clash at Villa Park.
The German giants head to B6 on the back of a 1-1 draw at home with Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen while Villa drew 2-2 to Ipswich Town at Portman Road. In his post-match press conference, Emery was asked if he had any gripes that his players have less recovery time than Bayern's.
"We are going to suspend the match on Wednesday and we are not going to play," Emery joked. "What do we want? We want to play in Europe. We want to get the same level like other teams like City, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd, Newcastle and Tottenham.
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"If we don’t want it then we don’t play in Europe and we rest in the week. Fantastic for everybody. It is the challenge we have. The players, myself, the supporters, even the journalists!
"We are going to be tired, this is the level. Man City played at this level for 10 years, Liverpool for 20 years. If we don’t want to play at this level, then we don’t play in Europe and we will be comfortable playing for the top 10.
"This is our challenge and my demands as well. On Wednesday we are going to be fantastic."
Villa won their first Champions League league phase game against BSC Young Boys 3-0 and will entertain Bayern and Bologna in their next two.
Bayern, now managed by Vincent Kompany, beat Dinamo Zagreb 9-2 at the Allianz Arena in their first Champions League clash. They are unbeaten so far this campaign and had won all six of their opening matches before drawing to Leverkusen this weekend.