Aston Villa vs Fulham: Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has set his sights high in the Premier League ahead of Saturday’s clash against Fulham.
Following a disappointing defeat in the Carabao Cup to Bournemouth, Villa will host Fulham at Villa Park. Emery is keen to make sure his players do not get distracted by the loss.
Villa has an arduous stretch of games coming up with both Barcelona and Manchester United on the horizon, and Emery knows he can’t let his players get distracted.
“We have to think about Fulham,” he said simply.
Emery demands consistency as Villa chase European football
Consistent performances will be key if Villa are to succeed in Europe.
Emery believes that each game will be a challenge and has warned against looking past Fulham. The club are trying to establish themselves as one of the top teams.
The Villa boss also knows there is still work to do if they are to qualify for the Champions League.
The inconsistency shown by other clubs has shown it is far from over, but the emphasis must be on making sure they finish above their direct rivals, said Emery.
That approach makes Saturday’s match particularly important. Villa need to turn their recent progress into a sustained run of league results.
Nicolas Jackson and Leon Goretzka still have more to offer
Emery also gave us some insight into what he expects from some of Villa’s summer signings. Nicolas Jackson has been impressive since joining the club.
Emery feels he needs to get to know the club better. He wants him to perform well in training and become more consistent. So far he has been very impressive, but Emery feels he can improve further.
Johan Manzambi was also mentioned. Emery said he was left out for different reasons. Both players will be fit to play against Fulham if they complete their full training programme.
The manager has also mentioned that Leon Goretzka has settled into Villa’s system. He has not played in recent games and has been adapting to the coach’s tactics.
Harwood-Bellis earns praise after Bournemouth performance
Taylor Harwood-Bellis received praise following his performance against Bournemouth. The manager praised the defender for being “professional, positive and wanting to improve”.
This shows that coaching staff are happy with the way he is conducting himself during his development at the club. Emery can use this as an opportunity to ensure the whole team are performing their best.
Another opportunity to bounce back from cup disappointment comes in the form of Fulham. More importantly, it provides Villa with an opportunity to show that they are consistent, as Emery believes that will be the key to their season.
The manager has made it clear that his sights are set on European qualification and the first step will be at Villa Park.
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