Fixtures
- Sheffield United Vs. Aston Villa – Sat, Feb 3rd 2024, 17:30
Unai Emery was in front of the cameras for his pre-match press conference on Friday afternoon.
Ahead of taking his team to Bramall Lane, Aston Villa’s head coach discussed the January transfer window, new signing Morgan Rogers and opponents Sheffield United.
Here’s what he had to say…
On Pau Torres…
“He’s getting better. He’s practicing individually on the pitch. It’s the first step before joining us next week.”
On the transfer window…
“It’s not very relevant, the transfer window in January, because the most important and strong structure we’ve tried to do, and did, in the summer transfer window.
“We are happy because we did small things like Bertrand Traoré left and Kaine Kesler rejoined after he was on loan and playing well in the Championship. The Australian goalkeeper joined, a young player as well, and Morgan Rogers.
“I’m really happy because it’s not being relevant to do a lot of things [in January]. We tried to be intelligent and work to join some young players and talented players.”
On Morgan Rogers…
“Morgan is a young player, a talented player, who is from here. We were following him, and he played against us with Middlesbrough.
“We analysed him and I think for a lot of things – he’s young, his potential is big, he’s from Birmingham – we added one player in the squad who can play as a number eight, a number ten or sometimes as a striker.
“His skills will be important for us.”
On Sheffield United…
“We were disappointed on Tuesday, and on Wednesday we recovered the energy being positive. After Wednesday, we were working here and practicing here in the training ground, focusing on our way.
“Tomorrow in Sheffield is a very important match for us after the defeat we had at home to Newcastle. We are really excited and motivated to play tomorrow.
“The most important thing is how we can face the match and our preparation for the match. We worked this morning and we’re going to travel after lunch.
“We are going to try to focus 100% on the match and it’s very important. It’s difficult as well because playing away is always difficult.”
On Sheffield’s approach to the game…
“When teams are playing at home they try to show their supporters their qualities and wishes to play, trying to win.
“I will face a team being more aggressive than when they played against us at home. Sometimes they will play defensively lower, but they were successful against us like that.
“They could feel comfortable playing like that at home, but at home it’s completely sure for me they are going to try to play being more offensive than they were here.”
