Unai Emery was in front of the cameras on Thursday afternoon for his pre-match press conference.
The Aston Villa head coach fielded questions from the media on a number of subjects, including the addition of Álex Moreno, ahead of Friday's game against Leeds United.
Here’s what he had to say…
On team news…
“(John) McGinn is out. Diego Carlos is getting better but it will be a month or two before he is with us,” said the Villa boss.
“Jed Steer is starting to train with us in one or two weeks.
“(Matty) Cash is a doubt for tomorrow, and Álex Moreno, his transfer is coming today, we’re waiting for it. Maybe he will be in the squad.
“(Leander) Dendoncker is also suspended after his red card on Sunday.”
On Álex Moreno…
“In La Liga he was a very important player. We have two left-backs, Lucas Digne and Ludwig Augustinsson, but the profile is similar with them.
“I spoke with Augustinsson about the possibility to leave – he is on loan here from Sevilla – because I wanted to sign a different profile, trying to be more offensive.
“In the attacking third to have a player who can use this side and be more offensive is the reason. We were thinking about other players but Álex Moreno is the player we were focused to try to add for the squad.”
On the reaction to Villa’s FA Cup exit…
“I’m expecting, every day, the response on the training ground and in our conversations. We arrived two months ago and we are doing some things so quickly – tactically, defensively, being organised.
“We have to progress in changing our mentality and being aggressive in our ambition. The players are so open to work with their application and they are committed to everything we’re trying to do.
“Sometimes we can have very good results and very good performances but sometimes, like on Sunday, we didn’t play like I want. It was an accident and it was an unusual match we played.
“The first response is tomorrow, and I’m so, so excited to be with our supporters again at home. I think we have to use our supporters to be stronger.”
On Leeds United…
“They are a very difficult team because they have very good players. They push a lot and they played a very good match in Newcastle being so, so competitive.
“They lost against Tottenham 4-3 (in November) but playing really well and they were winning for the first 80 minutes. It’s an example of how competitive they are.
“Tomorrow I’m expecting to play a difficult team. We need to avoid their pressing because their counter-pressing is amazing and they have fast players.
“They have a very good striker in Rodrigo, he’s in a good moment. They’re challenging.”