When Ahmed Elmohamady joined Aston Villa in 2017 the club were battling to make it out of the Championship.
The Egyptian played a major role in Villa’s promotion from the second tier in 2019 and the club’s rise has continued ever since.
Now a Club Ambassador, Elmo took time to reflect on the journey to Champions League football during the club’s tour of the USA, where he’s travelling with the team.
Elmo, great to catch up with you. This is your third tour as a Club Ambassador, how much are you enjoying the role?
“It’s been great. It’s been something new for me. When I was a player we didn’t travel that far, visiting countries like Germany and Portugal on short trips. In the last few years we’ve been to Australia and the USA, and looking at the bigger picture that’s great for Villa fans around the world. It gives them a chance to see the players. It was great in Australia and the USA last year and so far it’s been really good.”
What are the big differences between going on tour as a player and now as part of the club staff?
“We’re a Champions League club now and that makes it more exciting for the fans and everyone else around the club as well. We’ve got new sponsors now and everything is moving in the right direction. It’s a great time to be involved with the club and everyone is looking forward to the new season. The kit release broke records with the first day of sales and that’s great for the club.”
You joined us in the Championship in 2017 and things have come a long way since then…
“Looking back, it was a difficult time for the club when I joined. The club was in the Championship and that was not a place that Villa should have been. Villa has always been a massive, historic club and they should be in the Premier League. When I came, the first thing was to get the club promoted. In the first year we got to the play-off final and we didn’t do it. We did it in the second year and it was a great season and a great experience and one of my best seasons for the club. We had a club record winning run and to get promoted with the club and the players we had at that time was a great honour. It’s six years ago and we’re now in the Champions League. It comes back to the owners, Nassef and Wes, who’ve done great for the club.”
Just how influential do you think the club’s owners have been in driving Villa forward?
“I remember after the Derby game in the play-off final at Wembley, speaking to Nassef and he said, ‘In five years this club will be in the Champions League.’ I’ve known him for a long time and he’s a very successful man. He had a big vision when he joined the club, and we were successful straight away, getting promoted. The development went step-by-step through the years and now we have one of the best managers in the world and some of the best players in Europe. It’s a great time for the club and the fans; everyone is excited to come and watch Premier League and Champions League games at Villa Park.”
What have you made of Unai Emery’s impact at Villa thus far?
“He’s always been a successful manager wherever he’s been. He’s always been at the highest level and winning trophies. You can see the difference since he came to the club, the transformation. Even some of the players I played with you can see it in their performances and style of play now that they’ve moved to the top, top level. I wish I had a manager like him when I was a player. He would have improved me as a player and put me at a different level. The players are lucky to have a manager like Unai.”
The club has made huge progress in recent years, but there’s no sense that anyone is resting on their laurels…
“You can see the manager in every press conference, he always wants to improve himself and the players every day in training. He takes the positives and learns from the negatives, which is why we are where we are. Last season was a successful one for us as a club, finishing fourth in the Premier League. Playing in the Champions League is massive for this football club. It’s something some of the players might not be used to but they will savour going to some of the best stadiums in the world and gaining more experience. Hopefully we can have a successful season in the Champions League.”
A number of summer signings have strengthened the squad. Do you feel the team is in a good place?
“We have a young squad here with some experienced players, including some who’ve been here since the Championship in John McGinn and Tyrone Mings. We also have a World Cup winner in Emi Martínez. The manager will be massive for us, particularly in the Champions League, because he’s been there and got to the semi-finals with Villarreal. Morgan Rogers was great for us when he came in and he’s started the pre-season really well. Jacob Ramsey is also coming back from injury and he’ll be a big help.”
We’ve grown a lot on the pitch, so how important is it to match that off the pitch?
“We’ve got massive sponsorship behind us now and that suits Aston Villa because we’re a massive club in England. It’s what you need if you’re going to compete with the biggest clubs.”
How much have you enjoyed catching up with John McGinn and the rest of the squad?
“John has always been a funny guy and he’s always making a joke. It will be great to see my old teammates (McGinn and Mings) playing in the Champions League. It’s massive for them as players. I also played alongside Cashy, Konsa and a few others, so it’s great to see. They really deserve it because they’ve worked hard over the last few years.”
How much are you looking forward to Champions League nights at Villa Park?
“I can’t wait to hear the anthem at Villa Park. The stadium will be packed and the players will be so excited for it. I’m looking forward to it as much as everybody else.”
