Fixtures
- Leicester City Vs. Aston Villa – Sat, Aug 31st 2024, 15:00
Unai Emery’s pre-match press conference took place on the eve of Aston Villa’s trip to Leicester City.
The club’s manager spoke to reporters at Bodymoor Heath on Friday afternoon to preview his side’s game at King Power Stadium.
Here’s what he had to say…
On the transfer window…
“I’m very happy because we did the things we were planning at the beginning. The squad we have now, with some important players like Tyrone Mings, Boubacar Kamara and Emi Buendia who are coming back progressively and feeling good.
“Last year Jacob Ramsey didn’t play consistently and hopefully this year he’s going to play consistently during the season with the level he was showing us before and even increasing his level.
“With other players we have added in the squad this year, I’m very happy.”
On Ollie Watkins…
“Some players were playing until the last moment in international competitions with their national teams and had less holiday than others, especially him.
“He was coming back with a small injury and wasn’t 100% when he started training with us. He needed one week resting more after he came back.
“Now after playing two matches, I think he’s going to feel better and better, and be comfortable remembering how we want to get his best performances.
“He played good not brilliant last week. He did the job we are always demanding of him. We want his goals as well and he had two good chances.
“He didn’t score but the most important thing is to create chances. Watkins is coming back progressively and he’s going to help us. His performances are very important for us.”
On Youri Tielemans’ return to his former club…
“Youri knows perfectly a lot of things about football in Leicester and we were asking him about the atmosphere we are going to face.
“After they were getting promoted to the Premier League, they are excited to play in the Premier League again. We can’t forget that they won the Premier League in 2016; they were really fantastic and were playing in the Champions League like we are.
“We appreciate Leicester a lot because they’re a very good example for a lot of clubs, being successful with the players they had. One of those is Youri Tielemans and he’s coming back.
“Last year was an adaptation for him and he was getting progressively better in the structure we are creating. This year he’s started very, very good, playing with the best level since we signed him last year.
“Tomorrow is a very important match for him, for us, respecting the opponent.”
On taking on Leicester City…
“They drew the first match against Tottenham. Tottenham played well and dominated more than Leicester, but Leicester competed fantastically.
“Jamie Vardy is always very dangerous and we have to be alert. Maybe he’ll touch the ball three times but one is a goal.
“Their structure tactically, defensively and offensively, is good and I appreciate how they are playing. They lost at Fulham but they were competing very well.
“It’s going to be very difficult and we have to respect them because if we don’t they can threaten us. We have to be focussed on the small details to stop their press, to stop their transition and their positions when they are attacking. They have good players with skills.
“We are aware of the difficulties we are going to face, but we are planning to get something from there and play being demanding in our tactical idea and imposing it.”
