Unai Emery Seeks Aston Villa Champions League Win in Tribute to Gary Shaw

Unai Emery, the manager of Aston Villa, has vowed to dedicate a potential victory in the club’s Champions League opener against Young Boys to Villa legend Gary Shaw. Shaw, a key player in Villa's historic 1982 European Cup triumph, passed away on Monday at the age of 63 after suffering a head injury earlier this month.

Shaw was an integral part of the Aston Villa team that won the First Division title in 1981, followed by the European Cup and European Super Cup in 1982. He was also the only local player in the squad that famously defeated Bayern Munich in the 1982 European Cup final in Rotterdam.

Aston Villa will return to the prestigious European competition for the first time in 41 years on Tuesday when they face Young Boys in Bern. Reflecting on Shaw’s passing, Emery expressed his desire to win the match in his honor. "Yes, I think it's sad, and we can use it as another motivation," said Emery. "My condolences to Gary Shaw's family and all Aston Villa supporters. We have a memory of 1982 at the training ground, and Shaw was one of the protagonists."

Villa’s preparation for the match has been thorough. The team arrived in Bern earlier than usual to adapt to the synthetic pitch at the Wankdorf Stadium, where they trained ahead of Tuesday's game. Emery made it clear that the playing surface would not be an excuse for underperformance, emphasizing the team's readiness. “We changed our approach, came early to train on the synthetic pitch, and we’re ready. We will play with the same personality as we do at home,” Emery added.

Villa, who will wear black armbands in tribute to Shaw, are eager to make their mark in the Champions League. Midfielder Youri Tielemans spoke about the team’s ambitions, noting that although Villa may be ahead of schedule in their project, they are determined to compete at the highest level. "We don’t just want to participate—we want to make our mark in the competition," said Tielemans.

Villa’s return to European football is significant, with upcoming high-profile fixtures against Bayern Munich, Juventus, and Celtic. The team’s strong finish last season, securing fourth place in the Premier League, has earned them a spot in the competition, and they are looking to capitalize on the opportunity.

The synthetic pitch at the Wankdorf Stadium has been a topic of discussion, but Tielemans emphasized the importance of acclimating to it during training. “In our youth careers, we have all played on AstroTurf,” Tielemans explained. “But when you get used to Premier League pitches, good grass, it feels different. That’s why we’re training here, to get used to the surface and ensure it doesn’t become an excuse.”

Aston Villa’s return to the Champions League brings excitement and emotion, with the team aiming to honor Gary Shaw’s memory and legacy. Under Emery's leadership, the club is determined to start their European campaign on a high note and continue building on their remarkable progress.