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'People speaking' - Unai Emery explains why he ignores Aston Villa praise
Unai Emery insists he doesn't like to speak about his past achievements and is only focused on how his Aston Villa team can improve.
He was appointed as head coach one year ago on Tuesday and has overseen a remarkable improvement on the pitch. Emery boasts a win ratio of 58 per cent, which is by some distance the best record of any manager in the club's long history.
READ MORE: Alex Moreno issues Aston Villa injury update in social media post
READ MORE: AZ Alkmaar vs Aston Villa TV channel, live stream and how to watch Europa Conference League clash
Villa had only won three of their first 13 league games before Emery’s arrival last term, but he still managed to match the club's joint-most wins in a 38-match season by beating Brighton on the final day to secure qualification for the Europa Conference League. Only Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has collected more points or won more games in the Premier League than Emery this calendar year, over the course of no less than 31 matches.
Watkins starts, Carlos decision - The Aston Villa team Unai Emery should pick vs AZ Alkmaar
Aston Villa will travel to the Netherlands this afternoon ahead of their Europa Conference League group stage clash against AZ Alkmaar on Thursday (5:45pm kick-off).
Unai Emery's side have the opportunity to take control of Group E tomorrow night as all four teams are currently locked on three points after the first two games. Villa tasted defeat at Legia Warsaw before beating Zrinjski Mostar at home, while Thursday's opponents, AZ, lost 4-3 in Mostar and beat Legia 1-0.
AZ have made a strong start to their league campaign having won seven of their first eight Eredivisie matches, and drawing the other. They have scored 25 goals in that time and conceded just four.
Unai Emery and Emi Martinez press conference notes: Aston Villa warning, 'rivalry', UCL verdict
Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery travelled straight to the AFAS Stadion for his pre-match press conference after touching down in the Netherlands earlier this evening.
His side have the opportunity to take control of Group E tomorrow night as all four teams are currently locked on three points after the first two games. Villa tasted defeat at Legia Warsaw before beating Zrinjski Mostar at home, while Thursday's opponents, AZ, lost 4-3 in Mostar and beat Legia 1-0.
AZ have made a strong start to their league campaign having won seven of their first eight Eredivisie matches, and drawing the other. They have scored 25 goals in that time and conceded just four.
Unai Emery explains Jhon Duran absence for West Ham and reveals what was said in conversation
Unai Emery has revealed Jhon Duran missed Aston Villa's win over West Ham due to injury, but he is fit to face AZ Alkmaar on Thursday.
The 19-year-old has travelled with his teammates to Alkmaar after training with the group at Bodymoor Heath this morning. He wasn't named in Villa's matchday squad for the Premier League clash with West Ham and deleted all of his Villa-related posts on social media platform Instagram.
"The only truth is he was not available to play on Sunday because he was injured," Emery said when asked about the situation.
'Masters' - AZ Alkmaar boss makes Arsenal point ahead of Aston Villa Europa Conference League clash
AZ Alkmaar manager Pascal Jansen insists Aston Villa are counter-attacking "masters" and claims Unai Emery has managed to impose his philosophy better than he did at Arsenal.
Emery celebrated his first year in charge of Villa on Tuesday, two days after thrashing West Ham 4-1 at Villa Park, which extended his side's winning run at home to 11 matches. Villa have made an excellent start to the Premier League campaign this term, but have won one and lost one of their opening two Europa Conference League games.
"Everything has been equalised after the second match in the group,” AZ boss Jansen said in his pre-match press conference. “We are expecting a tough test from them [Villa]. Today I did some research. The coach lets [the same] players play often in the Premier League.
Emi Martinez lifts lid on talks about Aston Villa future and Champions League ambition
Emi Martinez wants to play in the Champions League with Aston Villa and insists it would be too "easy" to play in the competition by leaving the club.
The Argentina number one is set to make his 124th appearance for Villa on Thursday night, as Unai Emery's side play AZ Alkmaar at the AFAS Stadion. They come into the game on the back of a 4-1 win over West Ham on Sunday, which extended the club's winning run at Villa Park to 11 league matches.
Villa currently occupy fifth position - having won six of their first nine league games - and are four points off early Premier League leaders Tottenham Hotspur. Martinez has previously spoken about his ambitions to play Champions League football now he is at the peak of his career, but he wants to do it with Villa.
Arsenal slammed over harsh treatment of 'phenomenal' Unai Emery
Emile Heskey believes Unai Emery was "harshly treated" at Arsenal but has backed the Aston Villa boss to help his current side qualify for the Champions League.
The Spaniard succeeded legendary Gunners boss Arsene Wenger at the Emirates in 2018 but was sacked after less than two years before being replaced by Mikel Arteta. Emery went on to rebuild his reputation in Spain, guiding Villarreal to the Europa League title in 2021 before joining Villa last year.
And Heskey has shared his views on the treatment of Emery in North London before praising his impact at Villa Park. The Villans are currently fifth in the Premier League amid a remarkable transformation under their Spanish head coach.
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Aston Villa learn transfer stance for £45m star as Chelsea and Brentford alert
Tammy Abraham could depart AS Roma to return to the Premier League at the end of the season, it has been claimed.
The 26-year-old has been long linked with a move back to English football, and Aston Villa had reportedly agreed a deal to sign him in the summer before he suffered an injury on the final day of last season. Abraham joined Roma from Chelsea in 2021, and his first season in the Italian capital went better than last season.
He scored just nine goals in 54 games in all competitions while providing seven assists last campaign. Abraham underwent surgery on an ACL injury and continues to recover.
Who is Geny Catamo? Aston Villa tracking Pedro Goncalves teammate with €60m release clause
Aston Villa are understood to be tracking Sporting CP winger Geny Catamo.
The 22-year-old is the second Sporting player Villa appear to be keen on. They have had a long-standing interest in Pedro Goncalves but are apparently reluctant to pay his €80million release clause.
Catamo, meanwhile, has taken well to the Portuguese top flight after starting in all eight of Sporting's Primeira Liga games for Ruben Amorim so far. He is said to be attracting interest across the Premier League.
Callum Wilson reveals why he rejected Aston Villa to complete Newcastle United transfer
Callum Wilson has revealed his reasoning behind his move to Newcastle United following interest from Aston Villa during the 2020 transfer window.
Villa made a reported £21million offer to sign the England international from Bournemouth before apparently withdrawing their proposal when it became clear the forward preferred a move to Tyneside. The 31-year-old has since become a pivotal figure in the Magpies' return to the Champions League, scoring 43 times in 91 appearances while donning the number nine shirt.
Instead, Villa turned their attention to Brentford's Ollie Watkins, securing his signature just three days after failing to sign Wilson to reunite with former boss Dean Smith in the West Midlands. The 27-year-old has been in fine form for Unai Emery's side this season, scoring five times in the league with his latest coming in their 4-1 win over West Ham on Sunday.
Peter Crouch reveals how Pako Ayestaran 'ran show' at Liverpool as Aston Villa point made
Peter Crouch has explained Aston Villa assistant manager Pako Ayestaran's influence during his time at Liverpool, claiming he is one of the best coaches has has ever worked under.
The 42-year-old spent three seasons at Liverpool where Rafa Benitez was manager from 2004 to 2010. Ayestaran was Benitez's assistant between 2004 and 2007 before a reported falling out saw him leave Anfield.
While Villa boss Unai Emery has transformed the club since being appointed a year ago, Crouch believes Ayestaran also deserves some of the plaudits. Speaking on the Peter Crouch Podcast, he said: "Pako Ayestaran at Liverpool under Rafa [Benitez], I can't not mention him when I talk about assistant managers.
Emile Heskey makes Ollie Watkins transfer claim amid Aston Villa hero
Emile Heskey believes Ollie Watkins has the ability to play for any Premier League team but will not be interested in a move away from Aston Villa.
The striker has enjoyed a good run of form after scoring five goals in his last four matches including a hat-trick against high-flying Brighton last month. Watkins' form in Claret and Blue has seen him earn a return to Gareth Southgate's most recent England squad.
And former Villa forward Heskey has shared his thoughts on the club's current striker. He says there is no reason for Watkins to join a so-called "bigger club" where he may not play.
Paul Merson names Aston Villa star as 'most underrated' Premier League player
Paul Merson has labelled Aston Villa midfielder Douglas Luiz as the Premier League's "most underrated" player.
The Brazilian has been in fine goalscoring form for Unai Emery's side in 2023/24. Luiz has scored five Premier League goals so far this season.
And former Villa player Merson has warned his former club that the performances of Luiz and Ollie Watkins in claret and blue could lead to other clubs showing transfer interest in their star players.
'Beating heart' Douglas Luiz now fit to fill boots of Aston Villa's European Cup legend
There are few higher compliments for an Aston Villa player, particularly one who earns his trade patrolling the midfield engine room, than to be compared to club icon Dennis Mortimer.
Liverpool born he may be, but Mortimer will forever be associated with the Villa for the classy displays that culminated in title glory in 1980/81 and then European Cup success the following season.
He was the original captain, leader, legend long before John Terry turned up at Villa Park in the twilight of another outstanding career, albeit one with another club. How on earth Mortimer, now aged 71, never won a full England cap is unfathomable.
