Every word Jacob Ramsey said about Rogers, Mings' leadership, McGinn & Celtic clash
Jacob Ramsey spoke with the media at Bodymoor Heath on Tuesday afternoon ahead of Aston Villa's Champions League league phase clash against Celtic this evening.
The midfielder scored his first league goal of the season in the 1-1 draw with West Ham and could be in line to make his third Champions League start today. Here is every word he said in the pre-match press conference...
Are Champions League nights at Villa Park that bit different?
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"Any Champions League game is going to be a big game, especially at Villa Park. Tomorrow we need three points for automatic qualification. It will be a tough match, I’m sure it will be a great atmosphere and a good game."
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Can you allow yourself to take it all in?
"Personally, I’ve come from the academy, signing for Villa at eight years old to now playing in the Champions League as a 23-year-old at Villa Park, my family and friends will be at the stadium so when the music comes on I will be looking up to my friends and family. It’s a pinch me moment really, but after that it’s full focus on the game."
Back on the scoresheet against West Ham, how are you feeling now?
"It was good to get that feeling again because I haven’t scored at Villa Park for a while. In the past 12 months I have had three or four big injuries. I hope I can keep my numbers up because after a big injury it can take three or four games to get back in your rhythm and routine."
Everyone feared the worst when Tyrone Mings went down injured...
"When he came off, everyone could see how devastated he was. That shows how big he is for the team and inside the dressing room he is a big character. It’s good news that it’s only a couple of weeks, so hopefully he can recover and get back into the team."
When you were here as a teenager, did you envisage playing Champions League with Villa?
"Villa is a big club with big ambitions. When the owners took over, it was clear that getting top four was the aim. It’s a pinch me moment. I’ve got friends and family coming tomorrow. For the first five minutes it will be surreal to hear the atmosphere again, but from then on it’ll be full focus on the game."
A word on Celtic and Brendan Rodgers’ side coming into this one?
"Playing against Brendan Rodgers before when he was at Leicester, they were a really technical team and they’ll want to make a statement against us. It will be an intense and physical game. I’m looking forward to it."
Is there a desire to prove to people what a good player you are after injury struggles?
"I think before the Euros with the Under-21s, I was flying. My numbers were really good and I looked confident. Since then I haven’t reached those levels. On Sunday, that was a glimpse of what is to come."
On social media Morgan Rogers posted ‘twins’ - how strong is your relationship with him?
"If you compare our careers so far, he had a difficult time but has been flying in the last 12 months. There’s no doubt about that. He is a top player. If you compare it, my last 12 months, I’ve gone a bit downhill. Me and Morgan are really close friends and I see the work he does. He is a confident lad and he is flying."
What has John McGinn been like?
"John McGinn is a big character and a close friend of mine here. He has just come back from injury and after he got injured he was devastated because he wants to play in this Celtic game. Thankfully for him and the team he has been training and played at the weekend. He’s a Scottish lad and he will have tonnes of tickets and his box will be full of friends and family. Before he came to Villa I think Cetlic were in for him and I think he was a Celtic fan growing up. Says it all really. It’s a big game for him and Villa."
Five years ago next week you made your debut for Doncaster at Tranmere…
"I think I scored two against Tranmere and fast forward five years I am playing in the Champions League. It shows how fast football can change and how quickly your life can change. Hopefully tomorrow brings a good moment like five years ago. Although I am still 23, I am still young in football, but I have played lots of games. I know how it works, one minute you’re 10/10, the next you’re 3/10. For me, what I can take from five years ago is to be humble because football can change so quickly."
What was the stand-out moment from your professional debut at Prenton Park?
"The pitch. It was terrible. I don’t know if you have seen the footage, but it will be totally different tomorrow."
What are you expecting from the Battle of Britain game tomorrow and will it be a basketball match?
"Not too sure to be fair. We don’t like to play that basketball game to be fair. We like to control with good possession. Celtic will try and make an impression. They’ve already qualified, but England vs Scotland, it’s going to be a really intense and physical game. We don’t want it to be a basketball game."
The type of midfielder you are - there aren’t many of them around now. Is that an asset for you?
"I think two or three years ago I played in a different position under this boss. I was more box-to-box with late runs. Now I am linking in the final third with the midfielders. My game is to run past people, be powerful, explosive and get goals."
