Unai Emery addressed the media from Bodymoor Heath on Thursday afternoon as he looked ahead to Saturday’s game against Tottenham Hotspur.
There was plenty of topics discussed as Aston Villa’s head coach looks to secure a sixth consecutive win at Villa Park.
Here’s what he had to say…
On team news…
“It’s the first time in the last month we have everybody ready to be in the squad for Saturday.
“Only Jed Steer is out, but Cash, Kamara, Bailey, Coutinho – in the last match they were in the squad but not ready 100% to play.
“Some players are still not ready to play 90 minutes, but they’re ready to be in the squad and ready to play.”
On the team's form...
“We were being very successful away and being very competitive away. We started with some doubts at home before the last five matches that we won.
“Now, it’s very different because at home we are feeling very strong, we are being very competitive, we are winning difficult matches and playing very well.
“Away, in the last three matches, we aren’t playing like we were before. We were being competitive but it wasn’t enough to get three points in Brentford, Manchester and Wolves. That is an issue I am working to analyse with the players.
“Overall, we are making very good progress, individually and collectively, as a team. I am going to try to get our best performance on Saturday.”
On the final three matches…
“They have been fantastic (the Villa fans). The last two away matches we lost against Manchester United and Wolverhampton were disappointing but it hasn’t changed the good moment we are taking at home with our supporters.
“We have to be positive, we have to be happy and we have to very, very focused because it could be the last opportunity (to qualify for Europe) or it could be a very good opportunity to continue enjoying and playing key matches.
“We are playing matches where me as a coach and the players and the club can improve, can build and take challenges in a new direction, playing for one place in Europe.
“Playing against these teams, Tottenham, Liverpool and Brighton, they are different teams in different moments but some of the biggest teams in the Premier League.”
On Tottenham Hotspur…
“We are very excited. We are deserving of this opportunity because the last five matches at home we have won, and those 15 points have helped us to be here playing at home with our supporters on Saturday being three points behind Tottenham.
“We’re playing against a very good team. Everyone wants to enjoy this moment, wants to play in this match, and wants to be together in Villa Park for 90 minutes on Saturday and have a very, very good day.”
