Unai Emery has demanded no let-up from his Aston Villa players as they attempt to inflict more misery on Erik ten Hag and Manchester United this weekend.
Villa enjoyed a memorable midweek, celebrating the return of elite European competition to Villa Park with a 1-0 Champions League win over Bayern Munich thanks to another brilliant goal from super-sub Jhon Duran.
Emery’s side reached new heights against the Bundesliga leaders but says they can’t relax against a United side struggling for form.
He said: “The club’s committed to getting better in everything and that is clear.
these celebrations 🤌 pic.twitter.com/KEgEcweJfu
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) October 2, 2024
“The demands are huge. The process is starting with the results we are having in the last two years: we got Conference League, we got Champions League and we are now involved in the Champions League.
“To be consistent in the Premier League is the first objective I have. We are playing Champions League and we enjoyed it a lot on Wednesday and the first match we played in Bern. We won two matches and we have six points, but it’s not changing my mind or my perspective.
“I have ambition in this club since I arrived here. Today is the same; to be demanding in every match. To be demanding, achieving some objectives even before you were planning – to be in Europe seven months after I arrived here. We got Champions League last year and we are getting success in our way sooner than I was thinking.
“Now, my expectation is to keep it. We have to be demanding and don’t relax.”
The Boss on being ready for the weekend: “Being consistent is the most important thing and this is starting on the field… How difficult it is to be competitive and keep being consistent in Europe and how we get to Europe; through the Premier League. To be consistent in the… pic.twitter.com/S6S2xlSXpT
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) October 4, 2024
Emery has respect for Ten Hag
Emery will lock horns with Ten Hag on Sunday, with the Dutchman still under enormous pressure following a run of four games without a win in all competitions, including last weekend’s calamitous 3-0 defeat at home to Tottenham.
Emery added: “I have a lot of respect for him. We won the first match when I arrived here and it was fantastic, but after it we’ve lost four matches against them at home and away.
“They are a winning team, they have an experienced coach and experienced players. The club is usually a winning club and they are still being winners – they won the FA Cup last year against Manchester City.
“They are not getting consistently good results in the Premier League, but playing only one match, they can exploit their capacity and skill with a huge performance.
“I respect them and I will prepare the match more than how I prepared the match against Bayern Munich.”
Villa have doubts over Jacob Ramsey and Leon Bailey but Amadou Onana is expected to be fit.
