'Learned so much' - Unai Emery returns with Aston Villa to scene of greatest setback

Unai Emery admits the memories of “La Remontada” will never leave him - as he returns with Villa to the scene of his greatest defeat.

The Spaniard leads Villa against Barcelona on Tuesday night, back at the Nou Camp for the first time in the Champions League since suffering a 6-5 aggregate loss with Paris Saint-Germain nine years ago.

PSG were leading 4-0 from the first leg but crashed to a controversial 6-1 defeat, conceding three goals after the 88th minute.

It is the biggest fightback in European Cup history which has led to it being given its own name “La Remontada” - which simply translates as The Comeback.

Asked about what he had learned from the experience on Monday, Emery replied: “One more, one more, one match more. Everything happened in that match, we know.

“I started in 2004, coaching, so 22 years in a row. Playing in Europe 17 years in a row in different competitions, Champions League, Europa League, Conference League, and I learned in all those matches.

“In that match, I learned so, so much. One sports side, then another, not the sports side. VAR was necessary for football in that moment."

Emery, who turns 55 on Tuesday, is aiming to write a new chapter in the Champions League with Villa, after leading them to the quarter-finals two years ago.

The match with Barca ranks among the most high-profile in the club’s history and Emery believes the hosts deserve to be ranked among the favourites for the competition.

But skipper John McGinn, who is back at the Nou Camp for the first time since visiting on a family holiday as a child, insisted the Premier League club aren’t there to simply enjoy the experience.

Villa sit joint top of the Champions League table after three group phase matches.

McGinn said: “I’m 32-years-old and the trajectory of this club is allowing me to dream in the same way I did since I was nine, 10, 11.

“We are playing in front of the biggest crowds in the biggest arenas and obviously this is a very historic stadium.

“What the club are trying to do is make this a yearly experience, of Aston Villa competing against the best in England in Europe.

“It is a pleasure to be on this journey with supporters but we will only enjoy tomorrow night if we get three points.”