Unai Emery explains why he wants Aston Villa training ground to get a new paint job

Emery leads Villa into Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final at Preston aiming to take another step toward winning the club’s first major silverware since 1996.

That League Cup triumph and Villa’s other honours are recorded inside the entrance of Bodymoor Heath in the shape of giant trophies painted on the walls.

For Emery, they act as both inspiration and motivation, as he attempts to leave his own mark on club history.

He explained: "I like when we have in our entrance in the training ground, the cups. The titles the club won in history.

“We want to write another new history. This is one way, one good opportunity. 

“Of course we are respecting a lot Preston, to play away is always very difficult. 

“They are going to play with their supporters. Of course we will have our supporters there, being excited, being very motivated for this competition.

"We are ready. We are ready.”

Villa are seven-time winners of the FA Cup but have not lifted the trophy since beating Manchester United 2-1 in the 1957 final.

Victory at Deepdale on Sunday would set up the club’s first trip to Wembley since the 2020 Carabao Cup final and just Emery’s second visit as a manager.

The Spaniard, who first visited Wembley as a spectator for the 2018 Community Shield, took charge of Arsenal in a 1-1 draw with Tottenham in 2019 when the latter were using the stadium as a temporary home. 

Emery said: "I know how much it means for the supporters to be there.

"The supporters were there five, six years ago when Aston Villa was playing to promote to the Premier League. 

"But now it's different. Now it's to be there playing in a semi-final. Of course it's a very good opportunity.

"It's a way for a trophy. It's a way for Europe. Of course it's prestige for the club.”