Aston Villa demands, ten Hag & injuries - Full Unai Emery press conference ahead of Man Utd clash

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery spoke to the press on Friday afternoon ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash against Manchester United

Unai Emery sat down with the media at Bodymoor Heath ahead of Aston Villa's Premier League clash against Manchester United at Villa Park on Sunday (2pm).

Villa come into the match on the back of a historic 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League, while United drew 3-3 against Porto on Thursday night in the Europa League. Here's every word Emery said in his pre-match press conference...

How ready is the squad to recover and go against Man United?

"I am reflecting a lot every day how we are doing our process and how close we are to lose it. In this process [we are trying to] increase more or less everything around the club, not only the players, the objective in our competition, as well as a club trying to increase the budget through lots of things.

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"The club is a committed to get better in everything. It is clear. There are great demands. Of course, the process is starting as well with the results we are having in the last two years. We got the Conference League and now we’re involved in the Champions League. Being consistent is the most important thing.

"There are a lot of examples I have of myself, how hard it is to be consistent and in Europe and how we are getting Europe? Through the Premier League. It is the first objective I had. We enjoyed a lot the match we played against Bayern and the first one in Bern.

"I have ambition in this club since I arrived here and today it is the same. It is to be demanding every match, even achieving objectives before we planned like being in Europe seven months after I came here. Then we got to the Champions League. We are getting a very successful way, more than I was thinking. Now, my expectation is to keep it.

"The example I have is to be demanding and do not relax. Every person relaxes when we get comfortable. When we get comfortable, this is what I want to control. Starting with myself, how we face each match and how we can be consistent. After we played on Wednesday, a fantastic day, the supporters are very happy, but now I want to win on Sunday."

What do you make of the job Erik ten Hag is doing at United?

"I have a lot of respect. I won the first match, but after it we lost four matches against them at home and away. They are a winning team and they have an experienced coach and experienced players.

"This is a winning club, and they still are after winning the FA Cup against Manchester City. They are not getting consistent results, but playing one match they could get their capacity and skills. I will respect them and prepare match more than I did against Bayern Munich."

Must you manage exceptions or is this club just a joy to be a part of right now?

"I can repeat my message. We are not the favourite to be in the top seven. We want to be a contender in the process we are. If in day 20 in January we are getting how are doing, this is the most important. Each match is very important.

"I was very, very angry on Sunday how we responded on the pitch to Ipswich Town. Of course, I am learning every day and trying to be demanding every match. We can draw there because Ipswich deserved more, but we want to build here a strong mentality to play in the demands that the opponent are pushing of us. We didn’t do on Sunday.

"Against Manchester United I think it is a huge match for us after we played against Bayern Munich. In the Premier League we are playing the best teams in the world. Manchester United have quality players and the club is like others we are playing in the Champions League.

"On Sunday we will need the same atmosphere with the supporters at Villa Park like on Wednesday. I have no doubt they will be there to help and support us to transmit their energy so we can get three points. Manchester United, it is a very difficult match. The players must be really focused to get a strong structure tactically defensively and offensively."

How do you manage Jhon Duran’s role?

"He is doing fantastic. We are very happy. Of course, the plan in each match is changing. His minutes are normally quality minutes and he is improving a lot. His commitment as well is fantastic in the plan we are doing. We are in a process to build a team with the players we have and getting combinations with players.

"One of these combinations is with the strikers, sometimes playing together or not. With the performances we are getting from our strikers, I am very happy. There are opportunities for every player."

How are Ramsey and Bailey?

"Both are now doubts. I don’t know if they will be available on Sunday. They are so, so tight if they are available on Sunday. We will need every player. Tomorrow we are going to train, but today they are doubtful."

How have you changed the mentality at Villa?

"The mentality is building every day. Here when we are meeting, training, even spending time with the players eating. The mentality is to try and get the best individually and combine that with our style and idea. We want to get of them the best in everything.

"The mentality is that when we are training, when we are playing, when we are at home resting, we have to focus on football for 75 per cent of our life, the players and coaches. It is worth it. We are increasing our level as a team and as a club. Every player is improving and increasing their level.

"The players are aware of it and the demand is every day. If we relaxing one day, we are wrong."

How is Onana?

"He is a doubt, but I think he will be available because it is not a really serious injury. But playing matches during the week and on the weekends, we have to be clinical in our decisions for the next match.

"Even last year when we played in the Conference, I have to identify as well if I can do some changes getting better moments for other players who are ready to play."

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