Unai Emery
Aston Villa ended their tour of the USA with a thrilling 3-3 draw with Brentford at FedExField in Maryland.
Unai Emery’s side stayed unbeaten throughout the tournament after also drawing 3-3 with Newcastle United in Philadelphia last week, before beating Fulham 2-0 in Orlando on Wednesday night. Villa fell two goals behind against the Bees this afternoon, but three goals in 10 first half minutes turned the game around for Villa.
What are your thoughts on the game and the tour as a whole?
“Overall, I am very happy because I think the result is important, but when we were losing 2-0 we were playing well. Of course, we conceded some chances and they were very clinical in scoring and our comeback was fantastic. Our control on the game was fantastic and the work we did like we practised in the training session I think was done on the pitch. I am very happy doing analysis of the game we played today and other games as well. Tactically, it was demanding against Newcastle, Fulham and today Brentford, but overall we played trying to understand our power tactically, attacking and defending. We had good control of the game with good positioning of the players, trying to keep possession and attack the spaces.
“Today was a very good day for the supporters and a very good match for me tactically, maybe not for the goalkeepers! Trying to always to always improve and analyse the things we did not do good, I think there are more things that are positive.”
That was your second 3-3 draw of the tour, can Villa fans expect games like that next season?
“Last year we improved a lot after we stopped conceding goals, after three matches we lost to Manchester City three goals, Arsenal four goals and Leicester for goals; 11 goals in three matches. After those matches we stopped and defensively we corrected some things and we were more demanding to stop it.
“Now, it’s the same, but we are in pre-season and trying to practice things and of course we are going to analyse and correct why we are conceding those goals. Overall, being more focused tactically with different practices we are doing, how we are getting the performance, it’s positive for me and we will continue in this way.”
Diaby looks in good form?
“With Diaby the most important thing now is where is his best position on the pitch. Trying to understand when we have to find him going in behind and when he can drop to try to help us building up and stealing the ball. Both things, going in behind and dropping to get on the ball and help us keep possession is very positive because today he did both.
“Then, it’s how can we use him around other players. How can we find combinations and the positioning with the players. For example, playing with John McGinn, they both understood perfectly between them.”
It hasn’t taken long for Diaby to settle?
“This week was fantastic to try to use the same players we had as last year, some more young players like Jaden, remembering the good performance of Omari and other players as well. Also for new players how the adaptation is going, in the squad, in our every day, training sessions, at the hotel and then, of course, playing.
You had control in the game but you were also exciting going forward?
“I think the first step is to be good with positioning and taking control of the game with the ball, and then try to take up good positions where we can attack in-behind. Sometimes going inside first and then in-behind, sometimes playing offside and then coming back. Today, I think we did both perfect. Sometimes we attack behind and then sometimes we attack inside and outside, and when we need to keep the possession of the ball longer we did it as well.”
Brentford are quick on the transition, was that a good test?
“Yes, they can progress amazing as well. They are very competitive as well. I watched this Brentford team improving things on last year, and they did a very brilliant season. To play in the building up more consistently and trying to keep ball possession longer and attacking behind, doing high pressing and being clinical. It’s very good work from them and it’s important to know them, to know Newcastle and Fulham for the season.”
Did you apply the press effectively?
“I think now if you want to recover the ball you must do pressing and be strong in the structure and in the duels. John McGinn’s work on it is amazing, but we need other players too, Watkins, Archer, Diaby. The high pressing we did, I think when we are being consistent it is a credit to the team.”
