Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has revealed he emotionally told Prince William to ‘enjoy’ moments like last night following his side’s famous win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday night.
The Premier League side won 1-0 courtesy of a goal from Jhon Duran, whose superb lofted effort sailed past Manuel Neuer and into the net with 11 minutes left on the clock.
The victory came 42 years after Villa beat Bayern to win the European Cup, which remains the greatest night in their history.
William was in attendance on Wednesday as Emery’s side secured a famous win, with the Prince of Wales roaring in delight at full time.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has revealed he emotionally told Prince William to ‘enjoy’ moments like last night following his side’s famous win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday night
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And Emery, speaking to TNT Sports, has now opened up on his chat with the royal following the sensational result.
“I told him the best moments we can have is days like today and try to enjoy the way,” he said.
“Because when you are getting at the end, I don’t know where, but everything we are doing on the way, every day, every match, try to enjoy it, enjoy the way.
“And today, winning, of course, how we played, the team we played and being in the Champions League 42 years after the final, of course, it was a special day.
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“But like I said before the match, we want to keep it for a long time, being in Europe consistently and hopefully more days like today.”
Villa thought they’d taken the lead early on through Pau Torres, only for the former Villarreal star to see his effort chalked out.
Duran has had to be patient during his time with the side, having arrived from MLS side Chicago Fire back in January 2023.
With six goals from nine matches, however, he’s now staked a big claim for a regular starting berth.
Discussing his matchwinner, Emery added: “We are working with him but the most important thing is his attitude and his commitment now with us.
“Really he changed a lot his mind and he’s available to play 90 minutes, play 60 minutes, play 30 minutes and he’s been focussing each minute he is playing.
“Of course we have two very good strikers and the work they did today, Watkins before against the centre-backs, especially with [Dayot] Upamecano, was really a tough, tough match, a lot of duels he had.
“The last 20 minutes was a very good moment, we tried to do something more, adding this work with Jhon Duran and, of course, for him to score the goal he scored was really fantastic for him, for the team, for everybody.”
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Aston Villa superfan Prince William roared with delight as his team beat Bayern Munich 1-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday night
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Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany, meanwhile, was left frustrated by his side’s defeat.
Harry Kane thought he’d scored a dramatic late leveller in the dying stages of the clash.
Yet the England international was denied by Emiliano Martinez, who made a sublime performance to preserve his side’s lead.
Kompany reacted to the result by saying: “If you don’t take your chances, it can happen.
Aston Villa star Jhon Duran scored the only goal of the game in his side’s famous Champions League win over Bayern Munich
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“We had big chances, we didn’t score them. We gave away a moment and in that moment obviously Aston Villa scored a goal.
“I understand the occasion it was for the opponent and it was a special night for them.”