'It sounded like a moonshot but here we are'

At Tuesday's press conference, Unai Emery spoke with renewed zeal, a sense of determination that though this season has been a great ride for everyone, there must be a tangible reward at the end. Another shot at one of the European competitions would be a minimum requirement, winning a trophy at the same time better still. As I recall, when Emery's imminent arrival was announced in October 2022, most Villa fans calling BBC Radio WM were more exercised by whether they were going to stay in the Premier League at all.