Unai Emery refuses to accept that Aston Villa are in ‘transition.’
The turnover of his team means that there are seven new faces in a camp that no longer has Ezri Konsa, Youri Tielemans, Lucas Digne or Morgan Rogers. Ollie Watkins is expected to leave, and Amadou Onana is set to spend several months on the sidelines because of an ACL injury.
‘We must do everything faster’
A 4-0 defeat to Brighton has amplified the feeling that the Villans are set to take a step back after finishing fourth and winning the Europa League in May. But their Basque boss has never failed to guide the club into continental competition, and he does not wish to let standards slide without a fight.
“In football, if you are expecting transition, maybe you are not in the right way.
“We must compete, we must win, we have to rebuild the team as fast as possible, we have to accept our way, our decisions, and why we are taking some decisions, but I am positive, and we are working.
“At the same time, rebuilding the team with the players, they can understand how we want to play, and trying to understand some necessary time for some players to adapt to us.
“Of course, some players, they will need time more than others, and the players, they are with us for a long time. They must compete now, strong, and of course with all the ideas we were building, and trying to adapt the new players as fast as possible. For example, last week, we played with 10 players they were (here) last year. The only player (that) was not, was Joao Gomes.
“This is the objective. Of course, we didn’t perform, we didn’t compete, and we must do everything faster, and on Monday is the next challenge, and the Premier League is not waiting.
“There are 38 matches to play, points to play. We have lost the first match with those three points, and Monday, hopefully, Villa Park is being like we always felt there – supporting, playing with us, and we will need them again.”
Champions League football will be hosted at Villa Park again, but Emery’s priority is clear.
“I watched [the draw] but not so focused. Why? Because I’m now focused on the Premier League.
“We are excited and it’s fantastic to play Champions League, it’s something we deserved last year, through winning the Europa League and finishing fourth in the Premier League. Fantastic. We’re going to enjoy and compete this year.
“I know the teams but maybe now, in five seconds, I can’t tell you the teams we’re going to face. I’m facing Arsenal on Monday, this is the next match, and then Hull City on Saturday.”
