Emery aims for Europa League boost with Villa while Forest return to European action after decades
Unai Emery hopes that Villas re-entry into the Europa League this week will act as the catalyst to kick start their season, as Nottingham Forest launch their initial European involvement in three decades.
Emery holds the record as the top performing coach in Europa League annals, securing the trophy on three occasions with Sevilla and another time with Villarreal, yet his current Villa team has encountered a rocky beginning to the current term.
Villa remain without a victory in their opening five Premier League fixtures and had not netted a goal until their 1-1 stalemate against 10-player Sunderland on Sunday, a result that left Emery feeling irritated and let down.
Our early performances have fallen short admitted the Spanish coach, who previously guided Arsenal to the Europa League decider in 2019.
There remains plenty of effort required, some squad members are adjusting to the group and our strategy, and they will require patience.
Additional players were part of the setup last year and understand our approach to constructing the side and the elements that led to triumphs over the previous three seasons.
Villa advanced to the last eight in the Champions League of the prior campaign before a 5-4 aggregate defeat to the eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain.
They fell short of securing spots in Europes elite club tournament on the concluding matchday of the last season, marking their debut in the Europa League primary stage since 2008-09.
Villa kick off at home versus Bologna on Thursday, revisiting their 2-0 victory over the Italian outfit in the Champions League back in October.
Bologna earned their place as Italian Cup champions, their inaugural major honour since 1974.
Similar to Emery, the fresh manager at Nottingham Forest also possesses experience in clinching the Europa League.
Ange Postecoglou, brought in by Forest at the start of this month, led Tottenham to an uncommon accolade last season by overcoming Manchester United in the showdown.
He seeks his debut victory with Forest after two losses, one being an premature League Cup departure, plus the recent 1-1 tie at Burnley on Saturday.
Postecoglou faces Betis challenge with Forest
The Australian, dismissed from Spurs in June following their poorest Premier League campaign, succeeded Nuno Espirito Santo and is working to introduce his bolder playing method at Forest in pursuit of honours.
I favour my squads delivering thrilling matches and finding the net, Postecoglou remarked on joining the City Ground, residence of the 1979 and 1980 European Cup victors.
I make no excuses for it. That is simply my nature and the style I expect from my teams.
Forest head to Real Betis on Wednesday for their opening European fixture since the 1995-96 UEFA Cup quarter-finals versus Bayern Munich.
Betis include ex-United forward Antony in their lineup after the Brazilian signed a five-year contract to return to the Spanish club post a fruitful loan period.
Under the guidance of ex-Manchester City and West Ham head Manuel Pellegrini, Betis came second to Chelsea in the UEFA Conference League the season before after attaining their maiden European showpiece.
Celtic and Rangers have entered this secondary tournament after underperforming in the Champions League qualifying phase last month.
Brendan Rodgers brings his Celtic squad to Serbia on Wednesday to confront Red Star Belgrade in a clash between past European title holders.
Struggling Rangers are enduring their weakest home opening since 1978 and supporters voiced dissatisfaction with head coach Russell Martin amid Saturdays League Cup success against Hibernian, which barely reduced the frustration at Ibrox.
I have no influence over any of that, Martin stated, as supporters interrupted play by tossing numerous coloured balls onto the field and demanded his removal.
In this club, focus rapidly shifts to a single individual, Martin continued. It has centred on me, not through my preference.
Double victors Porto and Feyenoord, managed by ex-Dutch player Robin van Persie, both feature in the league stage. Porto commence against Salzburg whereas Feyenoord journey to Braga.
Two-time finalists Roma launch their effort against Nice, while Fenerbahce, who parted ways with Jose Mourinho for missing Champions League qualification, visit Dinamo Zagreb.