Aston Villa host Maccabi Tel Aviv in the Europa League tomorrow night, seeking a response to defeats that have checked their recent momentum.
Unai Emery’s side were beaten 2-1 by Go Ahead Eagles in their last European outing, a result that ended their perfect start to the competition and then fell 2-0 at Liverpool last weekend.
The Premier League defeat at Anfield served as a reminder of how quickly confidence can wane after such a strong domestic run, despite their impressive 1-0 victory over Manchester City just days earlier.
Those setbacks have not undone Villa’s progress, but Emery knows the timing demands a reaction.
Errors at both ends cost them at Anfield, and with a Premier League trip to Bournemouth looming on Sunday, he will want his side to reassert control and rhythm in front of their own fans.
Fortunately, the task appears favourable. Maccabi Tel Aviv have failed to win any of their three Europa League matches this season.
Their domestic form remains solid, but their continental performances have lacked conviction.
Emery’s team have been a different proposition at home, losing only one of their last 27 matches at Villa Park in all competitions.
The Spaniard has urged his team to be more clinical in the final third, with Ollie Watkins yet to rediscover his spark after a strong start to the season.
Efficiency in attack will be key, particularly as Villa look to prevent their recent dip from becoming a trend.
This match also marks the third anniversary of Emery’s first game in charge, a milestone that reflects the scale of Villa’s transformation under his leadership.
Facing an opponent yet to find their feet in Europe, Villa could not ask for a more fitting moment to bounce back to winning ways.
