While his second departure was difficult, Monchi is adamant Sevilla remains the first result he seeks.
In the week of the El Gran Derbi against Real Betis, he told Marca: "If I'm honest, my Sevilla past and my Sevilla-ism doesn't allow me to be on the sidelines of a week like the one leading up to the derby, which is the professional side and makes me think a lot about Sunday, because we have a lot at stake here at Aston Villa with the FA Cup quarter-finals against Preston and we have the possibility of playing in the semi-finals and going to Wembley.
"If I'm honest, and I'm sure Sevilla fans will understand, my mind is on Sunday at 1:30. After that game, if all goes well, I'll be focused on the derby.
"My nervousness, my tingling, is on the FA Cup because that's where I'm working and doing what I owe myself, although I'm not on the sidelines of what's happening in Seville."