Aston Villa manager Unai Emery thanks supporters, players, team for work done (after win against Brentford) but reminds tough and packed fixture schedule ahead
Premier League Museum Admin 
Unai Emery
Unai Emery discussed the significance of Aston Villa’s recent victory over Brentford in terms of team morale and performance consistency.
Unai Emery said “For everybody. For the supporters, for the players, for the team, with the work we have, the coaches and everybody, it was very important. We were 90 minutes being consistent in this game, and now is to be consistent playing matches. Tomorrow, trying to repeat again, more or less the same collective form we showed on Wednesday, is the challenge tomorrow.”
Emery also highlighted the importance of John McGinn to the team due to his versatility and consistent performance.
Unai Emery said “Football is going very quick for the players. Their careers are short. Now they can extend their careers because they are more professional maybe than 30 or 40 years ago. They have a lot of people working for them to keep them mentally and physically fine. This is the challenge for them and this is John McGinn. He is a very important player for us. And when he is not fit, he started the season a little bit lower than normal, we were struggling a bit. He is a versatile player, and he is very consistent. He is important, and the challenge is to keep this consistency. His versatility is very, very important. The characteristics he has are very important.”
Emery shared his perspective on facing Southampton and the tactical approach they have adopted under manager Russell Martin.
Unai Emery said “I appreciate a lot some teams, some young coaches, how they are being brave, playing, showing different ways tactically. One of them is Russell Martin. I know with my experiences, if we are not being organised in our press, we can struggle, playing against a team like Southampton. I appreciate a lot how they are playing. It is an example, how they are building up and how they are being successful. Last year they played a fantastic season in the Championship, and now they are extending the same idea in the Premier League. They are not getting points like they deserve, because they have not a lot of points, but they deserve more, how they are playing, but they are being very, very brave with the ball. I really appreciate them a lot and respect a lot, Russell Martin, the players they have, and their structure tactically.”
Emery provided an update on the team’s fitness and challenges in preparing for the match, acknowledging the difficulty due to the busy schedule.
Unai Emery said “It is being very difficult because we play matches every three days, even we played Juventus and then Leipzig next week. It is the most difficult challenge we can have. Today I don’t know exactly which players are available tomorrow [on Saturday]. Some are doubts, yesterday some had pain and some are tired. We are going to train now this afternoon. I think until tomorrow morning, only then it will be clear who will start the match.”
Emery emphasized the importance of tactical preparation and the development of young players, mentioning specific players in the process of adaptation.
Unai Emery said “I want players knowing tactically and performing tactically and individually, with their quality, always getting the level we want. Some players aren’t consistent in the XI or are even playing minutes, maybe like Kosta Nedeljkovic and Emi Buendia. Buendia is playing minutes, but he has to show that progressively he is getting better. Kosta is a young player – he played some matches at the beginning of the season, but there is still work to do and adaptation for everything to have. Premier League, the tactical idea to manage as well and playing with confidence. This is the way he has to do and this is a process we are doing. Other players like Jaden, he is playing. Maatsen’s adaptation is going well and he is ready to play. We have Pau Torres and Tyrone Mings in case Pau Torres needs some help. Mings played on Wednesday, but he finished tired.”
Emery praised Tyrone Mings for his performance and leadership qualities in recent matches.
Unai Emery said “Tyrone Mings, the most important of him, is his personality, his capacity as a player, a left centre-back, strong, he dominates to play under pressure in the Premier League. He didn’t [start] this season until Wednesday in the Premier League, but he played in the Champions League. In the dressing room as well, he is a very important player.”
About The Author
