'I beg you to give it to him' - Luis Enrique counts Unai Emery among Europe's 'greatest' coaches as PSG boss demands more 'recognition' for Aston Villa counterpart

PSG host Emery's side in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday and the Ligue 1 team's coach has opened up about his respect for his compatriot.

Villa qualified for the Champions League for the first time under Emery and collected wins against Bayern Munich, RB Leipzig and Celtic in the league phase before overcoming Club Brugge in the play-offs to set up a showdown with PSG. While experience in the competition and financial power may be on the French giants' side, Luis Enrique is in no mood to underestimate a coach who won four Europa League titles across spells at Sevilla and Villarreal.

"Ultimately, every manager has their own style and way of managing their squad. Unai Emery is an expert on player performance. How do you do that? I think it has a lot to do with each person's philosophy," he told reporters.

"We built our friendship through our clashes. It's a joy to know that you're going to meet one of the coaches with the greatest European career. He's a coach who takes care of his work. Aston Villa have improved under Unai Emery."

Asked if his fellow Spaniard gets enough recognition for his achievements, he said: "I don't know because I don't read the press and if he lacks recognition I beg you, you have to give it to him, he has always helped his teams progress, he has unlimited energy, he has won many titles. I hope he doesn't get his results in the double confrontation against us but I wish him the best."

Emery will hope to pull off a shock once again as Villa take on the Ligue 1 champions at the Parc des Princes on Wednesday.