Speaking to the Daily Mail in the aftermath of Aston Villa's 3-0 victory over SC Freiburg in Istanbul — a win that delivered the club's first European trophy in 44 years — Emery was unambiguous about what is needed for the project to reach the next level.
"I am myself ambitious and of course I need support. The owners, everyone that works in the club, development is everything. The players are following us. We are doing it together. But we must try to set this ambition, being clear and realistic. As a team, ambitious and improving. This is our next step."
He placed the club's current position in its proper context, acknowledging the gulf that still exists between Villa and the Premier League's elite while making clear he believes it can be closed.
"Next year we will play in Champions League and the Premier League is the most difficult league in the world. To be fighting top seven, top five, top four is something very difficult. Hopefully we can be close with teams like City and Arsenal."
Emery also outlined the structural investment that is already under way at the club — a stadium expansion of 10,000 seats and improvements to the training ground — as evidence that the ownership group is already thinking in the same terms as he is.
"The club is working to extend the stadium by 10,000 people. We are building and changing a little bit the training centre. We are trying to be demanding. Playing in Europe, Conference League, Champions League, Europa League — next year we're going to play again in Champions League."
He was clear that trophies are not incidental to the project but central to its sustainability.
"The project can only make sense if we are winning, if we are getting our objectives during this process."
His fifth Europa League title — previously won three times with Sevilla and once with Villarreal — was delivered against a Freiburg side that were thoroughly outplayed after Youri Tielemans opened the scoring from a set piece in the 18th minute. Goals from Emí Buendía and Morgan Rogers followed as Villa produced the kind of ruthless, controlled performance that has become the hallmark of Emery's tenure. The club have not waited this long for silverware to arrive only to treat it as an end point.