
Unai Emery
Unai Emery sat down with the media after Aston Villa’s 2-1 win over Man City. He shared his thoughts about the team’s performance and game strategy.
Unai Emery said, “The game plan, we were always planning but we were not always being successful. Today how we started creating goals, we were doing good press and the first five or 10 minutes we were getting some corners. It was important for the confidence we got. We were aggressive and waiting for our moment.”
Emery explained his approach regarding the use of players Kamara and Onana in their positions.
Unai Emery said, “When we signed Amadou, we were struggling in the last three months of the last season without Kamara and we needed another player to play as a number six. When he was recovering it depended on how Kamara responded. He has responded very well. High level. The second plan was to sometimes play with both players, understanding our idea and style to get in our structure our capacity to play well offensively and defensively. Youri Tielemans was higher than normal. We can add more options with the players.”
Emery also addressed his assessment of Morgan Rogers’ performance during the match.
Unai Emery said, “I am demanding of him. He has responded very well, being consistent. How he played 90 minutes, scoring goals, helping the team in the process we were building up with the defenders and midfielders. We needed to connect. He was really doing a fantastic job in this situation. One of the qualities he showed was his drives. He did a fantastic drive, he broke the lines and we could get through him. He scored a fantastic goal.”
Regarding the team’s exploitation of Man City’s vulnerability, Emery shared his observations on the dynamics of the match.
Unai Emery said, “Before the match I thought that in case we were responding well, in case we were feeling confident we could get the performance we wanted with the players. In the second half we were getting more in the attacking third and the consequences were that we scored and the confidence increased more. We played with more personality in the second half and defensively we did a fantastic work in 90 minutes.”
Emery reflected on Jhon Duran’s progress since joining the team and his role in the victory.
Unai Emery said, “He arrived two years ago. He is in a process. Two years ago we lost here 4-2 to Arsenal and were demanding for the striker to be close to the box and Jorginho scored. The minute 60 or 70 today, they had the ball in the box and Duran was there taking the ball and starting our transition. This is the example. It is good. Two years ago we asked him to do it, now he is doing it. He is scoring too. I think he has big potential and his mixing as well, with the idea we have tactically. He was improving but not getting the level we wanted, now he is there. With Ollie we have to use both but it is very good news for me, the club and the team. They are performing.”
Lastly, Emery was queried about the team’s prospects of finishing above Man City this season.
Unai Emery said, “It is day 17, we have 28 points, trying to get balance in the table. City are behind us but they are going to get better in the next weeks. We have to try to keep our mentality, to think about the next match and think about the challenge of everything we are facing. We were seventh, my objective now is the next match at Newcastle and trying to keep being consistent more away like we were last year.”