Aston Villa’s 100% record in the League Phase came to an end in a 2-1 away against Go Ahead Eagles.
Maccabi Tel Aviv are one of seven teams in this season’s Europa League who are still searching for their first victory, and Villa have lost only one of their last 27 matches in front of their own fans as they welcome them to Villa Park.
What are Villa's ambitions?
Emery first spoke on ambitions for the Europa League and how he wants his side to aim for first or nothing this season.
"The only idea is to be the first in the table but with our experience three years ago in the Conference League and last year in the Champions League and how we were managing in different moments - the process. Our objective is to win every match but we lost one.
"There is another team in front of us and we have to try tomorrow to get three points to be contenders to be in the top eight and to avoid the play-off.
"It is difficult and we have to be aware of how we lost the last match against Go Ahead Eagles and how we must correct things. It will be different at home.
"This is the real objective to win tomorrow and in the top eight minimum."
McGinn's new deal
Next, he opened up on John McGinn's new contract, which was announced on Wednesday morning as he signed a deal until 2028.
"In those three years we have been together, he has shown us and me how he is leading the team in all moments.
"The most important thing is how he is responding on the field, and on the field, he is responding very well.
"He can play as a midfielder, as a winger and his commitment to Aston Villa is a huge commitment. Before I arrived here and since I arrived, he has shown me that for the next years he is going to be an important player for us."
What is a like to be favourites?
Finally, he was asked what it is like being favourites in many of these fixtures, as quite often the favourites become complacent against lesser sides.
"It is difficult to say who is the favourite. To win this competition is very difficult, and so is winning one team. Of course our wishes are to win this competition, but we have to focus in the process we are doing.
"We have to focus each match and respect the competition.
"We lost at Go Ahead Eagles three weeks ago and they showed us how we can lose matches if we are not respecting 100% and focused 100%. If we don't respect the team and the competition, we are not going to win.
"Mentally, how we face every moment we are playing in the Europa League or Premier League or any other competition. We have reacted to our poor start to the season. We are keeping consistency, but not enough, and that is an example.
"This is the circumstance sometimes if we are not respecting every team. This is a lesson. In this process, we are being demanding, individually and collectively, like we are in the last years.
"Every day it is important how we are in training and then we are going to show tomorrow. Tomorrow is a test of how we will respond to losing the last match in the competition."