Unai Emery has called for Aston Villa to put an end to their defensive issues ahead of the visit of Juventus in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Emery is currently enduring his worst run as Villa boss, having gone six games without a win and condeded 12 goals in the process.
Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace saw them pick up their first Premier League point for four games but their defensive frailties were once again laid bare after both goals conceded came from counter-attacks.
Their backline has fared much better in the Champions League, having won their first three games and kept clean sheets in each before a bizarre Tyrone Mings handball saw them lose 1-0 at Club Brugge last time out.
On their recent woes, Emery said: “We are working on it. We have to feel strong in our structure and not only thinking defensively, thinking overall. The balance has not been consistent but of course we have to improve.
“We must be stronger defensively, starting with the ball. We want to try and dominate matches.
“I have confidence because the team and the players show me and they show the supporters a capacity to respond and react quick.”
🟣 Unai’s message to the fans ahead of another special night at Villa Park: “Enjoy it. We want to enjoy it, competing and we are here in the Champions League trying to be consistent.” pic.twitter.com/pNegZQ0spg
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) November 26, 2024
Villa have been juggling their domestic responsbilities with their first Champions League campaign for 41 years, with their packed schedule cited as a reason for their recent issues.
But Emery did not want to bemoan Villa’s foray in Europe’s elite competition and insisted they should try to stand up to the challenge ahead of the visit of another football giant to Villa Park.
He added: “Last year we had experience with the Conference League, we juggled a lot.
“We want to play a lot of matches and hopefully we will play until the last month of the season. The Champions League is the best competition in the world.
“We are managing each match and more or less being consistent in the preparation and being consistent in the idea to build a team.
“Tomorrow is a very important three points but even if we don’t win, taking one point is good because in the table we are in the top eight positions.
“We want to be in the next round and tomorrow if we win maybe we can be a contender to get it.”
Villa team news
Emery’s back four is boosted by the return of Ezri Konsa for the Juve clash at Villa Park, with the Basque coach also confirming Boubacar Kamara is back fit.
However, fellow midfielders Amadou Onana and Jacob Ramsey, who also missed the Eagles draw, will once again watch from the sidelines.
