Unai Emery was quizzed by members of the media at Bodymoor Heath on Friday afternoon.
The Aston Villa head coach gave his pre-match press conference, answering questions ahead of Sunday’s game against West Ham United.
Here’s what he had to say…
On Villa’s start to the season…
“We must always be demanding to improve. There are seven teams clearly contending to be in the top seven, and we are a team, like Brighton and West Ham, trying to get a European position.
“The players and I are being very demanding and trying to push the club to increase our level, trying to be a contender more and more. That is my ambition and my objective here.”
On Pau Torres…
“Pau Torres knows me and I knew him before we met again here. I believe in his potential and I want to exploit it.
“In my idea, my style, his qualities and skills are very important. Lenglet and Torres are the players who can do what Tyrone Mings was doing.
“Playing a lot of matches like we are playing, they are both very important left-footed players when we are building up with the ball and defensively as well.
“In the adaptation to the Premier League, Lenglet has the advantage because he played here before but the adaptation of Pau is really going well.”
On maintaining strong home form…
“We are not thinking about what we did. We are focused and thinking about what we can do, how we can improve and how we are going to face the next match.
“We are feeling comfortable with our supporters. Villa Park is special. It was special when we were not winning and it’s special now that we are being comfortable there.
“Each match is a big challenge to keep the same level we are taking there.”
On West Ham United…
“It will be a very difficult match. I respect West Ham a lot – the players, the club, David Moyes.
“They are being very strong defensively, committed defensively. Their structure is very, very strong and it’s always difficult to beat them.
“This year they are playing keeping ball possession better than last year. They are playing comfortably and feeling confident. They are playing better than last year.
“I analysed them and it’s going to be a very difficult match because they are two points behind us. Last year, they struggled a bit in the Premier League but they were successful in Europe winning the Conference League.
“This year they are one step ahead, trying to get a top ten position.”
