Aston Villa

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Aston Villa boss Unai Emery says the club’s first Champions League home game against Bayern Munich will be a “special” occasion.

Villa opened their campaign with a 3-0 win away at Young Boys in Switzerland and will play their first home fixture in Europe’s elite competition since 1983.

German giants Bayern travel to Villa Park for a repeat of the 1982 European Cup final, which Villa famously won.

“We are motivated and so excited to play with our supporters in Villa Park. It is a special, special match for everyone,” Emery told a news conference.

“We are very motivated coming back to Europe last year, with Aston Villa not playing Bayern Munich since 42 years ago.”

Emery, who has taken charge of 188 games in European football, has beaten Bayern in the Champions League as manager of Paris St-Germain and Villarreal.

He said his side are underdogs to the six-time European Cup winners but urged his players to “compete” and “show their best”.

“I think Europe is something very, very important and very, very difficult. This is the challenge we have now,” Emery added.

“Of course it’s against one of the best teams in the world. They are favourites, much bigger favourites than us.”