Aston Villa have improved their chances of securing a place in the Champions League by sealing a 2-0 win over Arsenal at the Emirates on Sunday.
A day later, Aston Villa managing director Monchi made a trip to Spain to take part in Feria de Abril, an annual event that takes place in the city of Seville.
This provided El Desmarque a chance to have a chat with the Villans official, who admitted he misses Seville.
Last summer, Monchi arrived at Villa Park after spending four years in his second spell at Sevilla. It’s pointed out things are going well for both the Spaniard and Unai Emery’s side this season.
The director wasn’t initially planning on travelling to Spain and reveals what changed his mind in the end.
“I hadn’t planned it, because the calendar didn’t help me much, because we played yesterday in London and we play on Thursday in Lille. But a little bit because of the euphoria of yesterday’s victory [against Arsenal, which was very important, I took a flight this morning and here I am,” he said.
Aston Villa are in firm contention to finish the season in the top four and are also in the running to win the UEFA Conference League. They take on Lille later this week after securing a 2-1 win in the first leg last Thursday.
The former Sevilla director is pleased with Aston Villa’s season so far and claims his side seeks to “consolidate” themselves as one of the ‘big teams’ in England.
“Super happy, super happy and very excited about this final stretch of the season. This season we have played in Europe and next season we are going to play again, although we don’t know what yet,” Monchi explained.
“We have a great coach and he is capable of getting the best out of any squad. And ours, which is very good, is performing at a very high level. We deserve what we are doing, because we have worked very hard and hopefully in this final stretch we will be able to finish what has been a very good season.”
El Desmarque add the Spaniard has the same objectives on a personal level.
“To consolidate myself there, to contribute what I can, at a different level to what I had here in Sevilla, but I’m very happy. Absolute happiness,” he added.