Ian Maatsen has called the Aston Villa head coach “brilliant” as he prepares for the club’s first Champions League appearance this season.
Maatsen completed his £37.5million transfer from Chelsea while on international duty with the Netherlands at Euro 2024.
The 22-year-old, who did not feature for Ronald Koeman’s side in Germany, signed a six-year contract at Villa Park following an impressive loan spell with Borussia Dortmund last season.
Maatsen made 16 Bundesliga appearances, scoring two goals and helping Die Schwarzgelben reach the Champions League final, playing every minute of their 2-0 defeat to Real Madrid at Wembley.
Emery led Villa to a fourth-place finish in the Premier League and has become known for his success on the European stage during his time in Spain.
The Spaniard has won the Europa League on four separate occasions, and also guided Villa to the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League last season.
“They did very well last season and the manager is obviously a brilliant manager with a lot of experience in Europe,” Maatsen told Aston Villa’s official website.
“They are playing in the Champions League this season, so it’s exciting. He’s a manager who loves playing football and winning trophies.
“That was the challenge for me, to come here and show people that I am capable of doing these things at the highest level.”
Maatsen made his Champions League debut in Dortmund’s round of 16 match against PSV Eindhoven, and went on to make seven appearances in the competition.
And while many are predicting Emery’s side will follow in Newcastle’s footsteps after attempting to juggle league and European commitments, the defender insisted he is confident Villa can become a regular in Europe’s elite club competition.
“It’s good because we’re obviously here now to earn a place in the Champions League every year. It’s a great competition.”
Maatsen is one of seven new arrivals at Villa Park, and Emery has raised his spending in this transfer window to £140m after the arrival of Amadou Onana from Everton was confirmed on Monday.
Villa begin the 2024-25 season away to West Ham on August 17, a team they have failed to beat away from home in the league since a 2-1 win at Upton Park in April 2011.
