Emery Embraces New...

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery addressed the media ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford, set to kick off at 14:00 GMT.

Here are the key takeaways from his press conference:

Emery provided an update on Matty Cash, stating he is “progressing well” and will be evaluated on Saturday for potential participation in the match. He indicated that Ross Barkley and Alysson could both feature, as they were not part of the European squad. Boubacar Kamara remains unavailable, while Youri Tielemans is making progress but still requires individual work before rejoining the team.
The Villa manager reflected on reaching the milestone of 100 career wins, emphasizing that they are “starting a new chapter” and must continue pushing forward. He noted the importance of seizing the opportunity to contend for Champions League positions against Manchester United.
Discussing the upcoming match, Emery described it as a significant challenge but highlighted that both teams sit on equal footing in the standings, with Villa fourth on 51 points and United third. He expressed excitement about the ongoing season, citing a lot of points still available to contest.
Reflecting on last season’s encounter with United, which ended in a 2-0 defeat for Villa while playing with ten men, Emery called it “an emotional match.” He stated: “We should be proud of everything we are doing.” He reiterated the team’s readiness and determination to perform as they did against Lille.
Emery emphasized the significance of fan support: “It’s vital for us to feel their presence. They have been incredibly motivated, as shown in Lille. We truly need them, and the players expressed their gratitude during the season; we hope to sense their energy on Sunday.”
He commended Lamare Bogarde’s “versatility,” noting that every match presents a new challenge for him. He praised Bogarde’s outstanding performance against Lille and expressed hope that he can replicate that success in the upcoming match against United.
Emery also discussed Ollie Watkins, stating that his “confidence is returning” following a goal in the Europa League. He added that it’s important for Watkins to feel support from both the coaching staff and fans, emphasizing that his achievements stem from his tenacity.