Every word Unai Emery said about transfers, Jaden Philogene sale, John McGinn injury and West Ham
Unai Emery sat down with the media at Bodymoor Heath on Friday afternoon ahead of Aston Villa's FA Cup third round clash against West Ham on Friday evening.
He was asked about a number of topics, including John McGinn's injury, transfers and the task his side face against a West Ham side who will be managed by Graham Potter for the first time. Here is every word Emery said in his press conference...
When will John McGinn return from injury?
READ MORE: Aston Villa maintain intelligent transfer approach after landing Jack Grealish riches
READ MORE: Unai Emery answers John McGinn injury question ahead of West Ham clash
“John McGinn is not available for tomorrow. We are going to play in the FA Cup trying to be protagonists. As one of our objectives, it is to be a contender to do a way for a trophy. And as well the winner will play in the Europa League .
BUY | Relive the biggest upsets from the World’s greatest domestic cup competition
READ | Jaden Philogene theory debunked and £84m Aston Villa transfer decision proves why
"This is the objective for us in the match tomorrow and we are playing at home. We are trying to build our team and structure, our objective is clear for the second part of the season."
Is there an updated timeline on McGinn’s return?
"Not for tomorrow."
Why are Villa selling Philogene?
"I explained it, I believe in Jaden Philogene, but we are, of course, always trying to get the best for the club, for the squad, the team, and the players. If he is leaving, it is because it is good for those three options."
Any incomings imminent?
"The club is working on it."
Has Villa’s poor performance in the FA Cup in recent years been one of your frustrations?
“It depends, because the circumstances were in that moment, we didn’t get something in the FA Cup, but it was a process. Not really thinking it was a frustration. When you are losing, it is a frustration, but of course, it is football.
“We are starting this year with the circumstances we have now, and tomorrow the idea is to try to be competitive and try to start performing better than the last two years, trying to get through this competition, one option for a trophy and one option for Europe.
“Of course, we are playing a lot of matches, and I think if they decided to avoid playing replays, it’s because the people with the responsibility decided it is better for the competition, better for the clubs and better for how we are adding a lot of matches in different competitions, even in competitions for the countries. To try to reduce matches for the players, I think is good.”
Are you expecting a new manager bounce against West Ham?
“Of course, West Ham, they have very good players. It’s a good club as well.
“It’s not good news when they are changing a coach, but it’s an opportunity for him.
“We are going to respect West Ham and we are going to respect him, because he was successful when he was coaching before here in England. He has experiences, and I think he is going to do good work.”
What do you make of there being no replays?
"We are playing a lot of matches and I think if they decided to avoid them [replays] it is because it is better for the competition, the clubs and how we are adding a lot of matches in competitions."
It will be the club’s 150th anniversary game - what does Aston Villa mean to you?
“I am spending my life here, at the moment two years, and hopefully for a long time. Of course, it is part of my life, something important as a coach.
“Hopefully, I will be leaving here, sharing with our supporters everything for the history they had, and as well we had, and trying to do something important now, with our opportunity we have here in different competitions. In my passion, in football, am I very proud of the history they have, and of course the history we can do.”
