Aston Villa manager Unai Emery addressed the media ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup fourth round match against Newcastle United at Villa Park, which kicks off at 17:45 GMT.
Below are the main points from his press conference:
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Emery commended his players for their adaptability, stating they have shown “versatility” in taking on various roles to help the team cope with a series of injuries.
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He noted that the transfer window has provided him with “different possibilities” despite the challenges posed by injuries.
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Emery mentioned Lamare Bogarde as a promising option, highlighting his strong performances. He praised Bogarde’s development since joining the academy and his ability to play both as a right full-back and midfielder while successfully marking players like Kaoru Mitoma.
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The manager expressed satisfaction with the “consistency” shown by Amadou Onana and the contributions from Ross Barkley, emphasizing that such players demonstrate Villa has “enough players” to succeed.
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Regarding Douglas Luiz, Emery noted: “He left here one-and-a-half years ago and didn’t get much playtime at Juventus or Nottingham Forest. Since coming back, I told him he needed to regain his form, and he’s been performing well in the matches he’s played, including his good performance on Wednesday.”
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On 19-year-old winger Alysson, who arrived from Brazilian side Gremio in January, Emery said: “He is a left-footed winger who usually plays on the right. He possesses qualities similar to Leon Bailey and has enormous potential. His adaptation is progressing, but he still needs time to adjust and showcase his best abilities.”
Listen to the Aston Villa vs. Newcastle match live on 5 Live Sports Extra here
Stay updated with all of Friday’s FA Cup news conferences