Aston Villa manager Unai Emery held a brief and tightly controlled press conference ahead of the Europa League match against Maccabi Tel Aviv. Journalists were instructed to avoid political questions, focusing solely on football matters, as away fans have been banned from attending due to safety concerns. The decision to exclude travelling supporters followed deliberations by the local Safety Advisory Group and police, with some public figures criticizing the move. Emery emphasized the importance of the upcoming match for Villa's standing in the competition, steering clear of any off-field controversies.