Every word Unai Emery said about Rashford, Asensio, FA Cup opportunity and new injury
Unai Emery sat down with the media at Villa Park after Aston Villa's 2-1 win over Tottenham in the FA Cup fourth round.
Jacob Ramsey opened the scoring in the first minute, before Morgan Rogers doubled the lead after the hour mark and Mathys Tel scored late for the visitors. Here is every word Emery said in his post-match press conference...
Unai, your thoughts on your side's performance and result...
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“I know how much this competition means for the club and the fans. We have won it seven times and it is always in our mind. It is a way for a trophy. We are here trying to compete and get prestige. This competition is very important in this direction. It was the first objective we had today - respecting the competition and competing.
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"We changed some players, but more or less played confident in our style and with personality. I will need to watch the game again, but I am happy for both things; for the FA Cup and how we played."
What did you make of Rashford and Asensio?
"We have to build the team again after the circumstances we had. Lamare Bogarde played consistently again when we needed him. Andres Garcia and Malen both played in the idea we had. They were consistent and focused. As well, Marcus Rashford and Asensio, we watched their skill and how they helped us and will help us again in the next months in the different competitions we will face. We are in a new way after the changes we did. We are demanding because we still need to improve due to some tactical issues and how we want to compete in the Premier League."
How is Konsa after his injury?
"We weren’t thinking to be playing against Tottenham with Bogarde and Kamara. Both are more central midfielders than centre-backs. Hopefully we can recover quickly Pau Torres, Tyrone Mings, as well Axel Disasi for next week if everything goes well. For Konsa, hopefully it is not a big injury."
Is this a big opportunity to win the FA Cup with Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea out?
"Yes but watching some matches - Birmingham-Newcastle, Brighton as well against Chelsea, today Liverpool, yesterday how Manchester City struggled… Wow, it’s very, very difficult. We have to only focus on the fifth round, accept the draw and try to compete."
Is it unfair to judge Ange too harshly due to the 11 Spurs injuries?
"I can analyse his work last year and the first six months of this season and I really appreciate a lot how Tottenham are playing with their style. Last year they performed fantastic. Of course, every team has their injured players - they have more than normal. Of course, the potential they can have with every player being available is a little bit lower without them.
"I think we played a very good match today to stop them. They played well as well but it was not enough to beat us in this match. When they are going to recover players, they will perform again like they were doing."
Ramsey and Rogers' partnership is flourishing - what do you put that down to?
"Jacob Ramsey is getting better. Today he scored and had another two or three chances. He will need to be consistent, playing without injuries and getting as well physically better. I think he’s in this process.
"He was a very important player in our successful way we had and will be again very important again for our future here with him. I am very happy because he’s a really very good player, he’s always got a high commitment with Aston Villa, his teammates and his coaches. I am very demanding with him but of course today he played a fantastic match.
"With Morgan Rogers, he’s being consistent as well. He’s performing fantastic and always doing his task in everything tactically offensively and defensively. He’s scoring goals, he’s as well assisting players, he’s getting our identity stronger with his skills and how he is as well adapting in different positions in the attacking third. Of course, we keep going, don’t stop."
