The Midlands club begin their campaign in the competition with a third-round tie against West Ham on Friday (10.01.25) and the coach says that claiming the trophy is one of his key targets for the season.

Emery said: "We are going to play in the FA Cup, trying to be protagonists.

"One of our objectives is to try to be a contender for a trophy, and in case of course the winner is playing next year in the Europa League.

"This is the objective for tomorrow, for us, with the match against West Ham.

"We are playing at home as well, and of course we are at the same time trying to build a team, trying to build our structure, and our objective will be clear for the second part of the season."

Villa's opposition will be playing under manager Graham Potter for the first time in the cup tie and Emery is ready for a tough test against players looking to prove themselves.

He said: "They have very good players. It’s a good club as well.

"It’s not good news when they are changing a coach, but it’s an opportunity for him.

"We are going to respect West Ham and we are going to respect him, because he was successful when he was coaching before here in England.

"He has experience, and I think he is going to do good work."

Villa will be marking their 150th anniversary at the game and Emery says the club has been an "important" part of his life.

He said: "I spend my life here. At the moment two years but hopefully for a long time. It is something important in my life as a coach and as well living here and chatting with our supporters and everything for the history they have. We are trying to do something important now in different competitions. I am very proud of the history they have and the history we can create."