Emi Martínez discussed Aston Villa’s determination to finish the season as strongly as possible, ahead of Saturday evening’s trip to Bournemouth.
Unai Emery’s side make the long trip south for their penultimate away game of the Premier League season – the first of their final three outings of the campaign.
The goalkeeper stressed the importance of maintaining Villa’s standards if they are to have a chance of competing in the Champions League again next term.
He said: “We don’t have another option now. We have to be in Europe again. The standards need to rise.
“We were knocked out of the Champions League, so we have a little bit more time to rest and prepare for the games.
“So now, hopefully, the last three games, you will see the best Villa in terms of football and energy.
“I think with one win, we might be in Europe again, but we want to be in the Champions League, so we have to win the three games remaining.
“Hopefully, the teams in front drop points. We just need to go to Bournemouth and try to win, and see what happens in the last few games.”
As the campaign reaches its climax, Martínez also took the opportunity to reflect on the progress of the club, over the past year and beyond.
Villa’s No.23 is approaching the end of his fifth season in claret and blue, and described the contrast between the club he entered and the one he sees now.
“Not just the last 12 months, since Unai Emery came in, even since I arrived,” the Argentine added.
“Since I came here, with Ollie (Watkins), (Matty) Cashy and a few other lads, the club is in a different state.
“They’re building a new stadium, new capacity. They’re building rooms in the training ground, new gym, more people working for the club.
“Villa’s always been a big club, but now they’re seeing it in the facilities, in the way the owners want to approach every season.
“You can’t have always 10 out of 10 seasons, but even though we didn’t have the best season, we’re still reaching a European competition.
“When we qualified for the Conference League, we went around the pitch like we won a trophy.
“Now, actually, being in Europe is something normal for the club and for the fans.
“I think we need to enjoy, as well, the process and the team we have. The way we play, the way we have a structure now.”
