Fixtures
- Aston Villa Vs. Manchester United – Sun, Feb 11th 2024, 16:30
Unai Emery spoke to the media on Friday afternoon ahead of Aston Villa v Manchester United this weekend.
The club’s head coach previewed the Premier League clash with assembled members of the local and national media, discussing key topics ahead of the game.
Here’s what he had to say…
On bouncing back from FA Cup exit…
“It’s a new challenge for us, it’s a new challenge for our supporters and it’s a new challenge in Villa Park to feel strong like we were.
“This is a challenge. We have to be together, we have to use our positive energy – everybody. Each individual fan has to support us with their energy.
“We’re going to try to connect with them, playing being demanding, being successful and trying to get our performance on the pitch. Even like that, it’s going to be a very, very difficult match because they will need to get points and close the difference to us in the table.
“When we’re facing matches like this – of course we have to be consistent in 38 matches – but it’s six points (the gap) and a key match.
“We have to try to create a great atmosphere with our supporters.”
On his approach to the game…
“I believe in our way and how we are facing each match in the Premier League. Even being consistent, sometimes we are not getting our good performances but, overall, we are doing it.
“On Sunday, I’m optimistic. I know the preparation from minute one to minute 90 and how we have to play the match being very focused, being respectful of them and playing an intelligent match.”
On the reverse fixture…
“I forgot it because each match has different circumstances. We played and we lost; we analysed deeply with the players and tried to improve after it.
“On Sunday we’re going to play a different match against Manchester United. They are recovering some very important players for them, one of them is Casemiro.
“They are going to feel stronger and concerned about the important game in this moment because we are in front of them. They are contenders more than us to be in the top four or five positions.
“The reality is we are being consistent, and even losing [on Sunday] we will be in front of them.”
On Manchester United…
“My concern and analysis of them is trying to understand their gameplan and to understand their qualities, collectively and individually.
“We have to try to stop them, starting with the goalkeeper because his build up is fantastic. Their centre-backs like to play, building up and controlling ball possession, trying to get good combinations on the pitch.
“Luke Shaw is very dangerous and Diogo Dalot is in a good moment. Casemiro is a very important player for them; they have very good wingers and strikers and that is my concern.
“The most important thing for me, individually and collectively, as a coach is to prepare trying to stop them.”
