Unai Emery sets Aston Villa’s goal for a place in the top eight in the Champions League | Aston Villa

Unai Emery has challenged his Aston Villa players to cement their surprise status as favorites and automatically qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League. Villa, who are yet to concede a goal in the competition, could claim their fourth win in a row if they beat Club Brugge on Wednesday. The Villa manager estimates his team needs 16 or 17 points to secure a place in the top eight.

Emery said Villa had enjoyed being a “fighting team” after returning to Europe’s most prestigious club stage, but he had encouraged his players to take the next step in Belgium. “We have the opportunity to be one step ahead in this competition and fight for the top eight,” said Emery. “This is truly an amazing goal for us to achieve. We are aware of the possibility of getting the fourth win, 12 points and the expectation of being in the top eight in the next round, maybe even [would take] 16, 17 points. If we win, we can clearly be contenders for a place in the top eight.

“They will be there, the best teams in Europe, they will be there. But there will be some surprises – when we get there we will be a surprise because we may not have been a contender or favorite for a top eight spot [to reach] into the next round, but not into the top eight. Some favorites will be out there but with the ability to play them [playoff] Round against the teams that finished in the top eight.”

The game is particularly important for Amadou Onana, who has 19 caps for Belgium. The midfielder arrived in the country at the age of 11 from Senegal, where he was born, but despite playing for Anderlecht, the now-defunct RWS Bruxelles and Zulte Waregem, he has never played a professional club game in Belgium.

“I can hardly wait,” said the 23-year-old, who moved to Germany when he was 15. “It’s special because I call this home.” It’s always nice to go back to Belgium. I didn’t have a chance to play here in Bruges, but I know it’s one of the biggest clubs in Belgium.”

Villa, hoping to return to winning ways after defeats to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup and Tottenham in the Premier League, will be without Ross Barkley and Matty Cash due to injury.

Asked if Villa wanted to maintain their 100 per cent record in the Champions League, Onana said: “That would mean a lot to us and the fans.” I don’t think many expected us to be at this stage of the competition position would be. That’s the goal, to be first in the Champions League and we want to keep that.”