Emery believes Villa Park must become a fortress again, insisting that improving their football matters more than the reduced home support for Wednesday’s European fixture.
The Villa manager discussed injuries, his attacking options and the challenge posed by Fenerbahce during his pre-match press conference, with his side seeking greater consistency after a difficult start to their home campaign.
“We are realistic, how we are working, improving. The things are not enough yet, so a lot of conversations with the team, through meetings, video, speaking, practising, and each match trying to show our improvements,” Emery said.
“In Villa Park, we didn’t win yet, so it’s very important how we can improve things, to be closer to winning, and tomorrow is a very good opportunity to try to do one step forward in those improvements.”
Aston Villa had lost at home to Arsenal and Nottingham Forest before drawing with Brentford, although they began their Champions League campaign with victory over Club Brugge.
Emery wants the atmosphere at Villa Park to help his players rediscover their confidence.
“It should be, like the four years we are here, how we achieved this special place to play for us, with our supporters, our fortress.
“We are feeling always comfortable and confident at home, with the energy to fight each team with the level they can have, and tomorrow is a new challenge, to try to show it.”
The manager also reflected on the significance of returning to the Champions League, recalling Villa’s European Cup triumph in 1982 and their previous campaign in the competition.
“To play Champions League is a really huge challenge, and excited for the moment we can share in Villa Park, and in all the seasons, playing against the best teams in the world,” he said.
Emery acknowledged that the club’s decision to reduce the number of available supporters would affect the atmosphere, but refused to use it as an excuse.
“It’s not excuses. We must try to be together, and without 7,000 supporters like normally are in Villa Park, we must push everybody, and play football.”
He added: “One improvement in Villa Park is play football. Better football than we played. Compete better than we compete. To be focused more than we did, to be demanding more than we did.”
Villa also faced selection problems. Matteo Ruggeri was expected to miss more than a month with injury, while Ian Maatsen was still unavailable. Leon Goretzka was included in the squad, although George Hemmings remained a doubt.
Up front, Emery was encouraged by Nicolas Jackson’s recent contribution but stressed the importance of developing greater competition for places.
“He’s threatened the opponents, and we need as well to add more players. We need to add Tammy Abraham, we need to add Brian Madjo, as strikers, competing with him.”
The manager also highlighted the threat of Fenerbahce’s experienced players, including Marco Asensio, Mattéo Guendouzi, Mason Greenwood and goalkeeper Ederson.
“Tomorrow is a very difficult match for us. We are very respectful, working, analysing them, and trying to impose our idea, our gameplan to them.”