Yahoo News Every word Unai Emery said about injuries, Martinez and Rogers ahead of Aston Villa vs Bournemouth
Unai Emery spoke to the press ahead of Aston Villa’s Premier League clash against Bournemouth at Villa Park on Sunday.
His side have the opportunity to go six points clear of Tottenham, who will have two games in hand after this weekend. Here’s every word Emery said in his short pre-match press conference…
Can we start with injury news, Unai?
"It's difficult to know how they finished exactly the players thinking how they are going to be for Sunday. Alex Moreno, Tyrone Mings, Buendia, Kamara and Ramsey are still unavailable. I think no more. After the match we played on Thursday, we will have to wait for the last training session on Saturday and then decide."
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Emi Martinez, has he proven he is the best goalkeeper in the world?
"To tell something about that is when he is being successful individually and collectively with his club at Aston Villa and with his national team. Being successful with Argentina, he is progressively getting better with Aston Villa.
"He is saving a lot of matches as a goalkeeper - of course, he is one of the best. The first, second, third? For me, he is the best."
Did you think he was going to get sent off for the second booking?
"Yes, I didn’t know this rule. Quickly, they told me about this rule and now, of course it is very important for us. It was strange because it is not a normal situation."
Morgan Rogers - has his progress surprised you?
"It is not a surprise because when we analysed him playing in Middlesbrough and we decided to sign him, it’s because we watched his characteristics as a player. There is still a lot of work to do with him. Every player starts somewhere, League One, League Two, Championship, Premier League. It’s always a process with younger players.
"He was at the Manchester City academy and when he progressed, they decided to let him leave and he was progressing in the Championship. Of course, he had and he has shown us his qualities and then in structure, his qualities were perfect to introduce and set in our squad.
"Now, for different circumstances, he is playing more than we thought. One reason is because he is playing well and then because Jacob Ramsey, with the same qualities, is injured.
"When some players are injured like we had, it’s important to have players ready to play in our tactical ideas. He is learning so quickly and we will need him at the end of the season like he is playing now and even better."
Have injuries made you reevaluate what you need in the summer? Will you need a bigger squad?
"We are focusing in each match and in our moment. The club is working with the possibilities for the next year, how we can improve the squad with players. But, we have now four players who will be new players for us at the beginning for us. Mings, Buendia, Kamara and Ramsey.
"Of course, we want to increase our level in the squad, but I am very happy with the players we have and I want to give them chances to play. In different ways this year, every player has an opportunity to play and I want to get the best of them from now until the end of the season.
"We are going to play a semi-final and the last five matches in the Premier League trying to get a Champions League position, trying to be demanding with our way in the Europa Conference League, playing for a final."
What are you expecting from Bournemouth?
"Bournemouth are playing very well, they are very competitive and they demand a lot if we want to beat them. My first objective is to recover the players who played 120 minutes and the emotion we had yesterday. We need to rest and recover for Sunday.
"We will need today evening and tomorrow to rest the players. Bournemouth, really I appreciate the coach and the players. They are pushing, pushing and pushing always. The match like we played there was really difficult."
How much are you enjoying this season?
"When I arrived here, my first press conference was the same message I have now. It is to play in Europe, try to be contender for a trophy domestically and in Europe. Always increase our level, getting a better level every day. The club as well is being very demanding and ambitious.
"As a coach, with every worker I have around me, always the message is the same. We are in the last month of playing now and we are fighting for a top position in the table."
