Aston Villa boss Unai Emery spoke to the media on Friday ahead of our clash with Everton, and covered a wide range of key topics concerning the club.
Villa will have benefited from a break since our last game, a 1-0 win over Middlesbrough in the FA Cup on January 6, while we have more time off before our next outing on January 26.
READ MORE: Will talented Villa youngster get chance to impress or loan exit more likely?
In turn, not only is it hoped that the squad have had the opportunity to recharge and regroup after a hectic December, but it will hopefully have been a chance for Emery to formulate the perfect game-plan to secure all three points this weekend.
That in turn will help solidify our top-four position in the Premier League, while we also look to compete on multiple fronts this season with our Europa Conference League and FA Cup campaigns still going strong.
Vital double injury boost for Villa
As per VillaTV, Emery confirmed that both Pau Torres and Youri Tielemans were back in group training this week, and they are expected to be available to face Everton.
Given how influential the pair are not only in terms of the experience and leadership that they add to the team, but also with how their technical ability and intelligence is so fundamental to the way we want to play, it will be crucial to have them back available.
Villa face a critical next phase of our development with sides now opting to sit back more, defend deeper and in numbers as they respect our threat, and so individuals likes Torres and Tielemans with their composure, vision and passing range will be key in breaking teams down and playing our preferred style of football.
Focus on improving current group
One of the messages that Emery reiterated throughout was that there is a real focus on continuing to improve and develop what he already has at his disposal.
That includes recovering injured players and not only getting them fully fit again but also helping them get back to their best form, and that will be crucial when you think that the likes of Jacob Ramsey and Alex Moreno are still not quite there yet.
We’ve seen how much progress Villa have made under Emery since he arrived, both individually and collectively, and he clearly believes that there is still much more to come and that is both reassuring and highly promising.
Bit-part duo can leave this month, Duran to stay
When asked about transfers this month, the Villa boss wasn’t shy in revealing that both Bertrand Traore and Calum Chambers can leave as they continue to play a very limited role.
Traore, 28, has made just six appearances thus far, totalling 43 minutes of football, while Chambers has featured just three times and played for 178 minutes.
With Traore’s current contract set to expire at the end of the season, it would be ideal if Villa can move him on this month and get some sort of fee, but it’s clear that neither feature in Emery’s plans moving forward and his honesty will hopefully be appreciated by them as they look for a new challenge.
As for Jhon Duran, he looks set to stay and continue to play an important role behind Ollie Watkins, and it’s pivotal that he continues to improve and integrate to make a bigger impact when given a chance to impress.
Impact of FFP on club’s planning
This was a point that Emery built on in the written media portion of his press conference, as per BirminghamLive, and he reiterated the need to respect FFP rules, to be smart and clinical with how we spend money, and the likelihood for sales, not only to open the door for signings, but also to balance the books moving forward.
It’s clear that this will be a balancing act for us, and many other clubs, moving forward, and it’s important that we successfully navigate it to try and ensure we have as competitive a squad as possible for Emery to work with and to build on what we’ve done so far.
While it was perhaps a worrying assessment for some, particularly the suggestion that we may have to prepare for a high-profile exit at some point, it’s ultimately the reality of our situation and it was good to hear Emery be transparent and honest about it with the fans.
It also continues to explain and justify our transfer dealings last summer, with youth products such as Cameron Archer and Aaron Ramsey being sold to help with the issue.
Emery classy as ever after winning PL Manager of the Month award
One thing we’ve grown accustomed to since Emery’s appointment, is that he is a classy operator both on and off the pitch in how he addresses things concerning the club.
That theme continued on Friday as he accepted the Premier League Manager of the Month award, and he was keen to praise and share that accolade with everyone else at the club who contributed to our brilliant form through December.
Whether it’s his constant mentions of the supporters after games to praise their backing, or the emphasis put on the players for their hard work which leads to our impressive results, Emery is always keen to stress it’s a collective effort and it’s nice to see others get that acknowledgement too.