Unai Emery, the head coach of Aston Villa, insists there are "no excuses" for his team's recent performances, especially as they navigate the challenges posed by the ongoing Villa Park rebuild. Following a disappointing 2-2 draw with Brentford on Saturday, Villa remains winless at home this season, a stark contrast to their previous stronghold.

The current state of the North Stand, which is closed for renovations, symbolizes the club's ambition to increase the stadium's capacity to over 50,000. While this move aims to secure a more competitive financial standing in the Premier League, it may come with short-term setbacks.

Upcoming is a crucial clash against Fenerbahce on Wednesday, as Champions League football returns to Villa Park. The Turkish side features Marcos Asensio, who previously thrived on loan from Paris St-Germain, scoring eight goals for Emery's squad in 2025. Fenerbahce arrives on a high, having scored 11 goals in their last two matches, including an 8-0 rout of Eyupspor.

Emery acknowledges the impact of fewer supporters during this transitional phase, emphasizing the need for improvement. "Our handicap is less supporters for the situation, but the club decided it," he remarked. Defender Matty Cash echoed this sentiment, noting the importance of adapting to the circumstances while maintaining high standards of performance. Despite the ongoing challenges, Villa has a strong European home record under Emery, having lost only once at home in Europe since his arrival.