Fixtures
- Luton Town Vs. Aston Villa – Sat, Mar 2nd 2024, 17:30
Unai Emery spoke to members of the local and national media on Friday afternoon ahead of Aston Villa’s Premier League game against Luton Town.
The club’s head coach offered his thoughts on the Hatters’ and their tactical approach among other topics.
Here’s what he had to say…
On maintaining Villa’s position in the table…
“We are trying to focus on each match, separating different competitions. We are very excited in the Premier League with how we are progressively getting better and being committed to try and do our best.
“We are fourth in the table now and we know we have to be consistent in 38 matches. Each match we are going to face is worth three points.
“Tomorrow is Luton and it’s worth the same points that we were playing for against the top teams like Arsenal and Manchester City. Winning or losing we’re playing for the same points tomorrow.
“It’s the reason we have to try to focus on each match, respecting the opponent and being very demanding with ourselves to get those points.”
On the team’s away record…
“It’s very difficult to get the same performance playing at home and playing away. We were very successful, and are still being successful, at home even after losing against Newcastle and Manchester United.
“Always we are trying to be demanding in how we face each match and being competitive. We are demanding as well in our preparation to be consistent tactically at home and away.
“Sometimes it could be different because the opponent demands different tactical ways. Tomorrow is the same because I don’t remember the last match we played against one team being very demanding against us in duels and man-to-man.
“Maybe the last match we played like that was against Newcastle and we lost at home. Tomorrow could be something similar.
“When some teams are playing against us like that, sometimes it’s very difficult to win the duels, to try to avoid their aggressive man-to-man. We didn’t do it against Newcastle.
“Tomorrow is a challenge for every player, for my preparation tactically for the match and how we can face the match being successful individually and collectively.”
On former Villan Ross Barkley…
“He’s playing very well. They are in a very good moment – not only Barkley. They are feeling confident and playing feeling strong.
“Maybe they haven’t had good results because they didn’t win in their last matches but they are playing very well.
“I appreciate a lot how they are playing: very aggressive, man-to-man, playing in combinations. Barkley is in a very good moment. I don’t know if they will play with some players who are doubts, but their structure doesn’t change.
“With different players they are playing the same. They are demanding a lot in the last matches against Manchester United, against Manchester City, against Liverpool.
“They lost but they played fantastic matches. I respect them a lot and I know tomorrow is going to be very difficult.”
On Luton Town…
“It will be a very demanding match in 90 minutes. Even when they were losing 3-0, they scored two goals against Manchester City.
“Even when they were losing 3-0 at home against Chelsea, they scored two goals and had chances to draw the match. Analysing them, my respect for them is increasing.
“I’m impressed with how they are playing.”
