Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey has spoken glowingly of boss Unai Emery as we prepare for a difficult run of fixtures.
Although there have been setbacks along the way, it has been largely positive under Emery’s stewardship thus far, as Villa appear to making sustainable progress with an identity and style of play emerging and being established.
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Results have been mostly promising as we continue to target a top-half finish in the Premier League this season, and Ramsey will no doubt have a key role to play in helping us achieve that.
Like many other members of the senior Villa squad, the 21-year-old has painted a very positive picture of life under Emery, as he is enjoying not only the Spaniard’s coaching methods and style, but also the difference in atmosphere that he has brought around the club in what is still a relatively short period of time.
“Since he (Emery) came in, he’s given us a lot of confidence,” he told the club’s official site. “The environment around the team, the dressing room and the training ground is really good, and everyone is full of confidence.
“That’s down to him and his coaching staff. The way he plays, and the style of play we’re playing, suits me. I’m enjoying it.”
After making a significant impact in Emery’s first game in charge back in November, an injury disrupted Ramsey’s momentum coming back from the World Cup break. It’s hoped that he can get back to that initial form, as his goals and assists from midfield will undoubtedly be a crucial aspect of our play.
Villa have a tough run coming up now though as we look to bounce back from our defeat to Leicester City last time out, with a trip to Man City ahead this weekend before we host Arsenal. That’s followed by Everton away who will be buoyed by Sean Dyche’s arrival, and so we’ll have to be at our best in the coming weeks to put together another strong run of form.
“They’ve [Man City] got 15 or 16 players who are world-class and their squad is unbelievable,” Ramsey added. “If we’re on our A game, we can get a result.
“Everyone knows that our next two fixtures are going to be really tough; they’re both fighting for the Premier League. We’ve got to go there and believe. If we play our best game, we can get a result against both of them.”
Villa currently sit in 11th place in the table, six points adrift of sixth place while we do have a slight cushion over the sides directly below us.
However, things can change quickly in this league and so it’s hoped that we’re able to upset the odds in the coming weeks and earn positive results to get ourselves back on track and looking up again to try and secure a top-10 finish this year.
There is a sense under Emery that on our day we have a real chance against any side, particularly on the road given we’ve found a successful formula and way to play away from home, and so there should be genuine belief in the side that we can come away from the Etihad with something to show for our efforts.