Every word Unai Emery said about transfers, Philogene, fresh injuries and Konsa's best position
Unai Emery sat down with the media at Bodymoor Heath ahead of Aston Villa's Premier League clash against Leicester City this weekend.
Villa are looking to return to winning ways on Saturday after losing to Newcastle United on Boxing Day and then drawing 2-2 with Brighton last Monday. Here is every word Emery said in his press conference...
How important is it to improve the squad in January?
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“We are starting the New Year and we finished a fantastic 2024. We achieved our best objective we can dream in that moment, to be in Europe and to be in [the] Champions League and this year to be playing Champions League.
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“Now, we are starting the new year focused on our match against Leicester, starting at home at Villa Park. We did a very good year, but trying to separate last year, last season and this season. The first part of the season, we are really not thinking we are bad, but could be better, and the league is our priority.
“Of course, we are in the transfer window as well, and the club is moving forward to try to increase our level in the squad in case we can sign new players and in case someone has to leave, we are open to doing it. But the most important for me is the match tomorrow.”
Could Jaden Philogene leave on loan?
“He has potential. He didn’t show his potential the first six months being here with us, but for different circumstances. He played minutes, he played some important matches like against for example Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
“I believe in his potential, but it is maybe one option as well for him or for the club, because there are a lot of clubs interested in him because they believe as well in his potential.
“We are not close [to a move]. As a coach, I am not really wanting to let him leave, but we are speaking about the different options, and maybe [that] could be one option for him.
“Tomorrow he is injured. He is not available for the match tomorrow. My conversation always with him before, was to be patient, take time to improve things. For January, it could be one option for him or for the club to let him leave.”
What do you think of Ruud van Nistelrooy?
“Every coach has the opportunity in head of each team to show it [potential]. Of course, as a player, he was a fantastic player. I admired him a lot.
“As a coach as well, I had a small conversation with him when he was here with Manchester United, the last match we played at Villa Park, a small conversation. Hopefully he can show his potential as a coach, like he was as a player.”
What is the team news?
“Not (available is) Jhon Duran because he is suspended, not Pau Torres because he broke his fourth metatarsal and he is going to be out for, more or less, two months.
“Not for tomorrow Diego Carlos because he has small injury as well, he’s not feeling good with one kick he has in his foot. Not Morgan Rogers because he is suspended with five yellow cards. Other players are in the squad and available for tomorrow.”
What is possible for Villa in 2025?
“It’s our challenge, and our challenge always is to improve and try to increase our level, to increase our demands and standards in everything, and we are in this way.
“Of course, to achieve like last year, Champions League, will be fantastic, but we have to try to be demanding, how to do what we want to do in our way we are here, building and respecting the different competitions and different teams. We want to try to keep the same level we had last year and last season.
“This year has been more difficult but for different circumstances. We are playing in Europe, and the demand is more than last year, playing Champions League in front of Conference League.
“But we are happy. I am glad we are doing this way, how we finished last year, how we finished more or less the first part of the season this year, but hopefully we can keep improving and being consistent.”
What is Ezri Konsa's best position in the long-term?
“For me, it would have to be both positions. For me, he has to be ready and must play when the team needs him in those positions, trying to do his task as well as possible.
"With us, I can remember him playing at centre-back very good, at right full-back - but doing build-up with three - as well very good. I can remember some matches he didn't play well in both positions. He has characteristics as a player, how he is as well with his body and his capacity in skills to play in both positions.
“We are trying to get stronger with our structure, and sometimes we are getting stronger with him playing as a right full-back, and sometimes with him playing as a centre back.”
