Unai Emery Q&A: Every word Aston Villa boss said about Man Utd, blue cards, injuries & Boxing Day revenge
Aston Villa news from BirminghamLive as Unai Emery speaks to the press ahead of Sunday's big Premier League match against Manchester United
Unai Emery has labelled Aston Villa's crucial Premier League clash with Manchester United as a six-pointer.
His side will open up an 11-point gap over the Red Devils with a victory, but the cushion could shrink to to just five points if they lose a third straight match at Villa Park. Here's every word Emery said at his press conference...
Can we start with injury news, Unai?
"Good afternoon. We have a new goalkeeper, a young goalkeeper. The players with the injuries which they had are recovering, Lucas and Torres. Still out Konsa and Jhon Duran. I think other players will be available for Sunday."
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What’s been the message to the players to improve?
"The day one, the day two, the day 15…the day 24 we are going to face Manchester United and we need to be consistent and concentrate on each match. The message is what we sent when we played against Sheffield Utd, the Premier League in 38 matches is the most consistent summary you can do. At the end of the season you get the first objective of the season.
What do you think about the possible introduction of blue cards?
"Not a lot. Because it is not my concern. I don’t care about it a lot. Because I think the referees or the people taking the decision about it, have to analyse it deeply. But it is not my concern."
Erik ten Hag said this is a cup final game, do you agree?
"I started speaking about our main objective which is to be consistent in the Premier League and getting our objective through it. We are being consistent and being successful in the way overall we are doing.
"But each match is so, so special and they are key moments. The match we played before mattered and the matches we will play after Sunday are going to be very important. We need to use this match against Manchester United to play for six points."
Do you owe United one after the defeat on Boxing Day?
"I forget it because each match has different circumstances. We played, we lost, and we analysed deeply with the players. We are going to play a different match on Sunday against Manchester United. They are recovering very important players, one of them is Casemiro.
"I think they are going to feel stronger and as well concerned about the important game at this moment. We are in front of them and they were - and they are - contenders more than us to get the top five. The reality is that we are being consistent. Even if we lose we will be in front of them, but they are feeling stronger now, confident and good.
"They got a good result last time and my message is to try and get our good performance individually and collectively. We will need our fans on Sunday, playing one game but it is special.
"When I arrived here my first game was against Manchester United and I remember how difficult it was, the expectation of the match. Sunday is the same. I am now trying to understand the match we are going to play on Sunday."
You always bounce back on the game after losing - can you do it again?
"It is a new challenge, a new challenge for us and for our supporters. We all have to use our positive energy - each individual fan has to support us with their energy. We have to connect with them being demanding and successful, being demanding on the pitch.
"It is going to be a difficult match because they need to get points against us. They are facing us trying to get to us in the table, being closer to us. We are thinking of course there is 38 matches, but this match is for six points. This is a special, key match. We want to create a great atmosphere with our supporters."
How confident are you that the players will respond to you calling this a six-pointer?
"Yes, I am confident. We need to believe in our way and how we face the Premier League each match. Being consistent, sometimes we are not getting good performances, but overall we are doing. Sunday, I am optimistic."
What sort of game do you expect from United?
"My analysis of them is to understand their game plan and their qualities, trying to stop them from the goalkeeper because his build-up is fantastic. They try to get good combinations, Luke Shaw is very dangerous and [Diogo] Dalot is in a good moment. They are recovering with Casemiro, who is very important for them. Their wingers are very good and they have a good striker."