Unai Emery and Tyrone Mings spoke to media on Tuesday ahead of Aston Villa’s second Summer Series fixture against Fulham.
The Villa head coach and centre-back discussed our pre-season trip to the USA, meeting the club’s international fans from around the world and more.
They also previewed Villa’s clash against the Cottagers at Exploria Stadium on Wednesday night.
Here’s what Unai had to say…
On facing Fulham…
“On Wednesday we have to work, trying everything we are practicing to get in 90 minutes.
“Use different players, try as well to add the new player we have. Of course, Moussa Diaby could have minutes to play.
“And we are very excited trying to do each step ahead, being better and being more compact.
“Coutinho as well, after his injury in the first week, he’s training with the team.
“On Wednesday, I think he will play some minutes as well.”
On Emi Buendía’s impressive display against Newcastle…
“Emiliano has experience, he’s very motivated, always trying to learn, trying to improve, trying to be competitive.
“Of course, himself, trying to add his quality but also thinking and being very committed with the club, with the team.
“I think it was very good to take the performance from him like we did on Sunday, and try to keep going in the same way.”
On Moussa Diaby’s first few days…
“He’s fit because he was training with his team and now he has to know the new team-mates he has.
“Of course, playing matches and practising is going to be easier for him.
“And on Wednesday we are going to play and have minutes with him.”
Here’s what Tyrone had to say…
On meeting Villa fans from all around the world…
“I think sometimes we can get wrapped up in our own little world in England, and in Birmingham, especially with the Premier League as we don’t travel abroad.
“But European games and pre-season tours definitely give us a chance to connect with fans who are in a different part of the world.
“So, it’s been good, it’s been fun.
“Support can go further than attending games, for sure.
“Buying shirts, getting up (early or late), paying for matchday passes – it all adds up, and we get supported in many different ways.”
On competition for places in the squad…
“Like I said in the last interview I did on the final day of last season, competition for places is something we’re going to have to have moving forward. We always have.
“If we go as far as we want to go in all four competitions next season, maybe 58/59 games.
“We’re going to need everybody and we’re going to need everybody to be playing to a high level as well.”
On the pre-season trip so far…
“It’s been good.
“Not too many shocks, exactly the same as we experienced in Dubai, same as we experienced in training last season.
“A lot of repetition, a lot of getting new players integrated into the way we play and a lot of going over fundamentals and basic principles the manager wants.
“So, a lot of learning has been going on but also a lot more to come as well, I’m sure.”
