When Aston Villa took on Ajax in the Europa Conference League last season, manager Unai Emery treated himself to a spot of football tourism.
As he arrived for the pre-match press conference at the Amsterdam Arena, Emery paused to examine the photographs on the walls. Johan Cruyff, Marco van Basten and Dennis Bergkamp were among the Ajax greats pictured and Emery pulled out his phone to take a few snaps.
The tale shows why European competition sets Emery’s pulse racing a little quicker. With four continental trophies to his name as a manager, Emery is European royalty.