Unai Emery issues Aston Villa warning for Battle of Britain

Villa head into the Champions League clash as odds-on favourites to take victory and a likely place in the top-eight.

But Emery, who was in charge of Paris St Germain when they thumped the Scottish giants 7-1 and 5-0 in 2017, is taking nothing for granted against perennial title winners.

He said: “We will respect them like they deserve and they are a winning team. Their mentality is usually winning matches in their league and they have experienced, international players. 

“They are going to play feeling confident and trying to face us feeling they can be close to us as well. I know because I respect and analyse them. The reason they are in the next round is because they have good players and a good coach.”

Both teams are already guaranteed a place in next month’s play-off round but it is Villa who would almost certainly skip that stage with a win.

Emery came close to writing off their chances after last week’s 1-0 defeat in Monaco but is now more positive.

“Last week I was a little pessimistic,” he said. “Overall we are doing a fantastic way with 13 points. 

“It’s not in our hands, but a lot of other teams as well have to win again in case we are winning.

“We are excited and motivated. The players as well, they are showing us that they are enjoying the Champions League.”

Villa are in talks to sign Axel Disasi on loan from Chelsea to solve their defensive crisis.

Emi Buendia, meanwhile, is close to joining Bayer Leverkusen on loan until the end of the season. The Argentine was absent from training at Bodymoor Heath ahead of completing the move.