Moussa Diaby sat down with VillaTV in Orlando for his first interview since joining the club.
The France international winger spoke about his decision to join Aston Villa, integrating into the team, playing in the Premier League, joining the club’s pre-season trip to the USA, making his debut, his targets for the season and more.
He also discusses an “ambitious” speech from head coach Unai Emery which made Diaby look forward to joining Villa and “tipped the scales for me and make the decision I made”.
You can watch Moussa’s interview below and also read every word of what he had to say…
Moussa, welcome to Aston Villa. How does it feel to be here?
“Thank you. Well, frankly it’s a great feeling to come here with Aston Villa, which is a big club with big ambitions, a new league for me to play in, the Premier League, with lots of very good teams. That’s why I made the decision to come to Aston Villa, an ambitious club with very good players and very good fans.”
What was it about the club and the project here that attracted you?
“Well, like I’ve already said, being able to play in the Premier League really attracted me. Then I also had a conversation with the director and the coach, and that’s it, that gave me the push to make the decision. Then I spoke with (Boubacar) Kamara and Lucas (Digne) and that’s when they told me good things about the club.”
You know Unai Emery from your time in Paris. What has he said to you since your arrival at Aston Villa?
“Yes, it’s true that he was the coach when I was at Paris, so I already know that he is a very good coach. It’s true that I have had him before, but I was very young when I was at Paris, I was very, very young. And after that we regained contact and that’s when his speech grasped me, it was a very ambitious speech which made me look forward to joining the team, which has very strong ambitions and that was it, that’s what tipped the scales for me and make the decision I made.”
You also know Leon Bailey from your spell together at Bayer Leverkusen, as well as our French players. How much have you enjoyed the first few days settling in at the club?
“Yes, I met Leon at Leverkusen. I know he’s a very good person, a very good player and I also know the French of the team and I think that they will help me with my adaptation here. They will allow me to learn a lot of things about the club, about the team and about the others that are involved. I think that it’s going to be very easy for me to integrate into the team and show my qualities on the pitch.”
You’ve joined us on our pre-season trip to the USA, that must give you a great chance to bond with the squad, staff and also step up your own pre-season preparations?
“Yes, yes, it’s true that I’ve joined the team directly at this stage. It’s been a little quick for me, but, well, like I’ve already said, I am very happy of the choice I’ve made. I am also happy to be joining the team quickly as it will allow me to form a relationship with my team-mates, the staff, and well, all the people who surround us and all those who are there for us. So, I think that it’s very important for a player to arrive quickly at a new team to be able to be in it 100% and to do their best.”
Are you looking forward to putting on an Aston Villa shirt for the first time during this trip to America?
“Yes, yes, I am looking forward to putting on the club’s shirt and well, I think it has already shown me a different outlook than the German league. I know that the Premier League is a very good competition and I am with a very good club, which is Aston Villa. And yes, I am certainly in a hurry to put on the new shirt and to make the first impressions.”
“Yes, it’s true that he (Unai Emery) was the coach when I was at Paris, so I already know that he is a very good coach. It’s true that I have had him before, but I was very young when I was at Paris, I was very, very young. And after that we regained contact and that’s when his speech grasped me, it was a very ambitious speech which made me look forward to joining the team, which has very strong ambitions and that was it, that’s what tipped the scales for me and make the decision I made.”
Moussa Diaby
How much was playing in England and in the Premier League a factor behind your move?
“Well, I know the Premier League is the best competition in the world with the best teams and it’s a league with lots of quality, which made me lean towards it, with lots of goals. I think that the choice has been the best for me, and with my qualities which are playing up front, it’s a very good choice and I can do good things within the team and within the league.”
You’ll take on the No.19 shirt, one you’ve worn a lot throughout your career, can you talk us through your bond with that shirt number?
“It’s true that No.19 is an important number for me. Well, it was the neighbourhood that I came from in Paris, the neighbourhood where I grew up, I met a lot of people there and that’s why I had to wear that number. I’m lucky that it was free and that’s why I think that it was a good choice.”
Finally, do you have any ambitions for the season ahead? Both personally and collectively?
“Yes, necessarily, I have ambitions, well, my ambitions are clear, to lift the team up to get as much out of it as possible. Then my ambition is to go for Europe, which we’re not scared to say. I know that we have a good team, a very good coach, very good staff, and then my personal ambitions are to integrate myself very quickly and that’s it. Give the best of me by achieving good statistics and play good matches for the fans and for the team.”
