Aston Villa manager Unai Emery(Image: Ryan Browne/Shutterstock)

Unai Emery insists Aston Villa’s proud heritage means he and his players have a responsibility to write their own history.

Winning a fifth UEFA Europa League title this season would end Villa’s 30-year wait for silverware, as Emery finalises his preparations to guide his team into the semi-finals of the competition.

Bologna will host Villa on Thursday night for the first leg of their quarter-final tie, before the Serie A side travel to Birmingham for the return leg next week - their third visit in 18 months.

“Aston Villa has a massive history in a lot of things, and one remarkable moment was when Aston Villa won the European Cup,” Emery said ahead of the meeting at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara.

“It’s something that makes us feel responsible and that we’re in a club that was successful in Europe.

“Individually, I’m feeling comfortable during the years, and thankful for the teams I was coaching with the possibility to win this title or in the Champions League or Conference League.

“Each moment is a different challenge. Everything we did before is done and...