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A request to install a new coffee machine at Aston Villa’s training ground turned into a barista training session with star players and manager Unai Emery for a young Brechin business.

Maison Dieu Coffee Roasters was set up in 2020 by two former Dundee United players – Euan Spark, who now captains Brechin City, and Rangers and Scotland defender John Souttar.

Their connections in the football world led to a request from Scotland star and Aston Villa captain John McGinn to install a new machine at Villa’s training ground.

Euan, who attended with the firm’s wholesale manager Lewis Hill, said the plan was to show the club’s canteen staff how to use the machine – but all the Villa players wanted to make their own.

He said: “We went down with the machine and were going to show the kitchen staff how to make coffees but we ended up being there until 4pm teaching the players.

“McGinn was getting involved, World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez wanted to know how to make an oat latte.

“It was unbelievable to see guys who are on £100,000 or £150,000 a week all really excited to have a go.

“Just when we thought we were getting ourselves up the road, the management staff came in.  We taught manager Unai Emery how to make a double espresso.  The delight they had having their own coffee machine in their workplace showed how coffee can help build relationships.”

Maison Dieu is supplying  Aston Villa with a special blend.

John McGinn also arranged for the machine to have a special inscription: “Property of Aston Villa until John McGinn has ben sold”.

Euan described the day spent with players and staff as “surreal”.

Two days after his visit, he was on the Brechin City team bus returning from a game at Wick and was watching Villa play Arsenal.

“They were beaten by Arsenal 2-0 and I was getting some cheek on the bus,” Euan said.  “The guys were saying ‘that’s your coffee’ and ‘you won’t be getting another order’ and things like that.”

Maison Dieu roasts on Montrose Street, Brechin, where it also has a counter.  It also has a horsebox which attends shows and opened a café on Brook Street, Broughty Ferry, last November.

This article appeared in The Courier on 2 September 2024.