Emi Martinez spoke to the media at the AFAS Stadion ahead of Aston Villa's Europa Conference League group stage match against AZ Alkmaar.

The goalkeeper is set to play his 124th match for Villa in all competitions today having started both of their previous two group fixtures, against Legia Warsaw and Zrinjski Mostar. Here's every word the Argentina number one said in the pre-match press conference...

What do you make of Emery's first year at Villa?

"I know him for a long time already and I know how he is as a coach. When he signed for the club I was over the moon. I knew how well he worked but he surprised me in how he has developed as a manager as well.

"His second time in the Premier League he was more prepared than he was at Arsenal. He can make more decisions here, rather than just listen to the people above. I’m glad he’s with us, for me he’s one of the top five managers in the world right now."

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Are you expecting to be jeered by Dutch fans after the World Cup?

"I don’t really like to get abused to be fair but that’s part of football, I accept it. When the game starts I forget about everything. I just focus on my team and try to help the defenders to help them from behind. That is all I care about."

Is this the toughest game of the group?

"We thought that until we faced Legia away. It was a real shock, the atmosphere was great and we started losing the game within a minute. We learned from that mistake, we played against Zrinjski and nearly got beat as well.

"We only beat them in the final minute of the game. AZ, we know how strong they are, they like to play from the back. Their goalscorer is in a good position right now. It will be a good test but we’ll be up for it."

Have you noticed an improvement in Emery?

"I think his English improved a lot and that’s helped him. I know how hard it is for Spanish people to come in and learn the language. It was the first time in the Premier League and everyone needs to adapt, even managers. It was a surprise because he reached the Europa League final and then the club decision to let him go. Then he went to Villarreal and was superb there and won Europa League. Is is the main reason I like to play this competition with him because he is the most successful manager in European football."

Do you notice Emery on the line?

"I only see forwards, I never really see sideways. He is electric, one of those managers who likes to talk and is very demanding. That is probably what we needed at the club. He loves meetings, he loves training. If he can train one, two or three hours he will. I love training as well, he’s the right manager for the club."

Do you often meet up with the South American and Spanish contingent away from the training pitch?

"When you have French, Belgium, English, South American it is hard for us all to connect at the same time. That happens in every club. We have a nice south American and Spanish group. The French have their group. We go out a lot, I love to do BBQs at my house, I do BBQs sometimes at the training ground. We’re creating a little family which will eventually pay off."

Can Villa match your ambitions?

"I think they can match, that’s why I’ve decided to stay here. It’s a club which wants to be in Champions League and win a trophy. The main conversation with Unai was how do we get there? There are plans to extend Villa Park as well. Like I said when I joined the club, I’m not here to waste time. Since I joined we’ve been moving forward. That is the main reason I want to put Aston Villa in a Champions League place and try to win silverware, that is for sure."

"If you look at my first interviews at the club it has always been about winning the Champions League and winning a trophy. I believe since day one that I will leave this club one day with silverware or playing in the Champions League.

What have you learned from Legia?

"It’s a European competition. I know it’s new but we know how difficult it is. Everyone expected us to win. We learnt from that game and we expect a big game and a big atmosphere tomorrow. We will be more prepared than we were for Legia."

How is it to play against the Dutch after the World Cup?

"It’s just another game for me. When you play a World Cup final with the pressure it generates, for me, playing a Europa Conference League, it’s just another game. I play in the Premier League and coming here playing a Dutch team, I have nothing against the Dutch.

"I love Dutch people, I had friends who are Dutch, so I have nothing against the Netherlands. It’s just a rivalry. When Argentina play Brazil it’s a war, and I have lots and lots of Brazilian friends. For me, it’s just football."

Was there a situation where you felt like you’d have to leave to achieve what you want to?

"No, no. Obviously the ambitions are high. Since I joined the club, Aston Villa ’s ambitions are high. You have to ask where the path is going for the club. If they want to stay in the Premier League, then that’s not what I want.

"Always since day one they want to move forward, wants to be in the Champions League, all the signings are top players to be in the Champions League spot. It’s easy to go and play in the Champions League somewhere else.

"It’s harder to do it at a club who haven’t been in the Champions League for years. It’s a challenge. I love the club and I have been here for nearly four years. I want to play in the Champions League with Aston Villa."

Have the squad got what it takes?

"We’re building, we’re not there yet. But we are building to something really good. We have one of the best managers in the world right now and he is helping us towards that Champions League spot. It’s only been nine games in the league, it’s early, we’re not contenders as the league is very tight. We will fight until the end."

What would it mean to win something with Aston Villa?

"It will be very emotional. It was my aim when I signed for the club. I left my old club winning trophies and if I manage to bring Villa to the Champions League or a European competition it would be a dream. We did that.

"I am playing a European competition for Villa. It’s not the Champions League, but it’s still a European competition after 15 years. It’s a good achievement. The next step is to win a trophy or play in the Champions League. I won’t stop until I do it."

Would you ever persuade the manager to let you go up for a corner?

"Well, it shouldn’t have done that! I should’ve asked. It was one of them where I done it before and I was excepting a good cross at the back post! He was right to be upset about that."

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