Fixtures
- Club América Vs. Aston Villa – Sat, Aug 3rd 2024, 16:30
Unai Emery spoke to media on Friday afternoon to preview the final match of the club’s USA pre-season tour against Club América.
Villa face the Mexican giants and Liga MX Champions at Chicago’s Soldier Field on Saturday (ko 4.30pm local time / 10.30pm UK time).
The press conference event was hosted in the Windy City by Richard Hyde, British Consul General in Chicago.
Here’s what Unai had to say on…
The club’s USA pre-season tour…
“Of course, we’re in pre-season, this is the first objective we have in pre-season, which is try to adapt the new players, try to build again the team with the players we have.
“And, with some players still away coming back next week, the last four players.
“Results now are not relevant but we don’t want to lose.
“We want to build a strong structure, in our mind as well with a winning mentality.
“And it’s been positive, it’s been positive even with the results.
“We played against Columbus last week and we played against RB Leipzig – two very good teams. Different.
“Columbus are an MLS team, tactically they played a very motivated match and we lost. And we introduced some young players as well.
“The game against Leipzig, we played more or less against one team we want to face because they are going to play in the Champions League like us.
“And it was a very good test. The first half was a good test playing 11 v 11 but the red card changed it a little bit in the second half.
“But we did our work and we are happy with the way we are going, awaiting the last players joining us next week and working tomorrow against Club América, another very good test.
“And when we are playing against different teams from different countries, it’s very good as well to try to analyse and try to test the level they have with our level.
“Club América is a very important team in the world and in Mexico, I will enjoy the match against them.”
On facing new opponents heading into Champions League season…
“We want to play against every team and we are in this tournament (Leagues Cup Showcase) because we’re playing three different teams, three different countries.
“When we’re going to face the first match against West Ham, we want to be ready to play and compete at the beginning.
“We want to be consistent in the Premier League over 38 matches, and this year we have another great challenge.
“We’re very excited to play again after a long time, Aston Villa in the Champions League.
“The level is high, a high level in the world with the best teams in football.
“But we are building progressively, some changes we’ve made in the squad refreshing some players.
“We are adding some young players as well with us.
“I am positive and I think we will be competitive this year, like I want. But, of course, we have a lot of work to do.”
On facing Club América…
“I don’t know exactly (how many), but everybody is telling me there’s a lot of supporters coming from Club América.
“There will be some supporters for us as well.
“We are in America, North America, so for them it is easier to travel and be here.
“And they are playing, as well, different matches against MLS teams here in America.
“Tomorrow, we want to play and test ourselves against them.
“We know some players because some play in Europe, and the level they have here in their league in Mexico is really great.
“Tomorrow is a good test for us, we’re in pre-season, but we’ve lost the first two matches and tomorrow I want to show our best performances with our players.
“Try to compete, try to win, try to adapt to them and try to test how we are against a team like them in that moment.”
